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feet entirely webbed to the nails. The tail, which is somewhat ellipti- 

 cal in shape, rather than flat, is broad, thick and powerful at the root, 

 from whence it gradually tapers off to a point. Thi.s massive and mus- 

 cular tail — which is about eighteen inches long — acts as a rudder, and 

 aids the animal in its rai)id turnings when in pursuit of lish, upon 

 which it princi[)ally feeds, although not exclusively ; for the otter is 

 fond of eating any kind of flesh, especially that of birds. It is said that 

 these animals make considerable havoc among wild ducks, which they 

 can easily surprise and capture by diving underneath them and seizing^ 

 them by the legs. An adult otter of the largest size weighs about 

 thirty-six pounds. The average weight, however, may be estimated at 

 about twenty-five pounds. 



The otter is, perhaps, the strongest and most muscular animal of its 

 size living. In its wild state it is extremely sh}^ ; but when cornered 

 beyond the possibility of escape, it is singularly bold and ferocious. 

 Singly, very few dogs can match a large otter. Like many other indi- 

 viduals of the jera' naturce, which are naturally tierce in their wild 

 state, when domesticated the ottei is gentle and docile to an extraordi- 

 nary degree. 



Strictly am[)hibious, yet chiefly aquatic in its habits, and physic- 

 ally constructed rather for navigation than pedesti'ianism, the otter, as 

 swimmer and diver, is scai'cely second to the seal or the walrus. 

 Amongst the digitigrade carnivora of America no animal of the same 

 size possesses so much muscular power, and few, if any, wear so costly 

 a garb. 



Although similar in size and appearance to the otter ot' the British 

 Islands, the skin of which is of little value, the coldness of our Cana- 

 dian winter naturally imparts its superioi'i^y and couimercial value to 

 the skin of the Canadian otter. 



As yet, otters have never been hunted in this country with packs 

 of hounds (a cross between the large wiry-haired terrier and the fox- 

 hound) as in the old country. They are invariably taken in steel trai)S 

 set in the water at the entrance to their dens, or at the foot of their 

 slides, and frequently also at "air-holes" in the ice. During the 

 season of open water, in setting his traps for otters, the hunter, if he 

 can avoid it, never goes on land. While at this work he remains in 



