130 BULLETIN NO. VIL. 
According to Richardson, one of the earliest authors giving 
accounts of the species with precision, ‘‘the Canada Otter re- 
sembles the European species in its habits and food. In the 
winter season, it frequents rapids and falls, to have the advant- 
age of open water; and when its usual haunts are frozen over, 
it will travel to a great distance through the snow, in search 
of a rapid that has resisted the severity of the weather. If 
seen, and pursued by hunters on these journies, it will throw 
itself forward on its belly, and slide through the snow for sev- 
eral yards, leaving a deep furrow behind it. This movementis 
repeated with so much rapidity, that even a swift runner on 
snow-shoes has much trouble in overtaking it. It also doubles 
on its track with much cunning, and dives under the snow to 
elude its pursuers. When closely pressed, it will turn and de- 
fend itself with great obstinacy. In thespring of 1826, at Great 
Bear Lake, the Otters frequently robbed our nets, which were 
set under the ice, at the distance of a few yards from a piece of 
open water. They generally carried off the heads of the fish, 
and left the bodies sticking in the net. 
‘The Cannada Otter has one litter annually, about the middle 
of April, of from one to three young.” 
In the Middle and Southern States, Audubon says they are 
about one month earlier.* 
The sliding of the Otter, which Sir John describes, is not alone 
resorted to in the endeavor to avoid pursuit; and again, it is 
something more than simply an easy way of slipping down a 
wet sloping bank into the water. It seems to be a favorite 
amusement of this creature, ‘‘just for fun.” Godman speaks 
of the diversion in the following terms:—‘‘Their favorite sport 
is sliding, and for this purpose in winter the highest ridge of 
snow is selected, to the top of which the Otters scramble, where, 
lying on the belly with the fore-feet bent backwards, they give 
themselves an impulse with their hind legs and swiftly glide 
head-foremost down the declivity, sometimes for the distance 
of twenty yards. Thissportthey continue apparently with the 
keenest enjoyment until fatigue or hunger induces them to 
desist.” 
Statements of similar import are made by various writers, 
and accord with Audubon’s personal observations, as rendered 
by him in the following language:— 

*According to Bell, the European Otter goes with young nine weeks, and produces 
three to five young onesin March or April (Brit. Quad. 1837, 186). The period of gestation 
of our species, if different, probabiy remains to be ascertained. 

