8 THE RIVER-SIDE NATURALIST. 



crayfish, and the feathers of water-fowls, water-hens for 

 the most part. Then, whilst otter-hunting with the local 

 pack of hounds, the line of scent was not infrequently 

 carried from the river across the meadows on to some 

 swampy ground and rushy bottom, which no doubt our 

 quarry had visited for the purpose of making a raid upon 

 the frogs ; but, personally, I never saw the remains of 

 these creatures in the coke of the animal, though others 

 with whom I am acquainted have often done so. Sundry 

 otters that I have known, when kept in confinement, have 

 proved by no means fond of salmon, far preferring flounders, 

 eels, and crayfish to the more valuable fish. The latter 

 they were often tempted to take by way of experiment, and 

 showed no great liking thereto. Indeed, Troughton, the 

 huntsman to the Kendal hounds, told me that one otter he 

 kept in captivity enjoyed a young rabbit for a meal as 

 much as anything. 



" Can these otters in the Severn Mr. George writes 

 about feed differently from those inhabiting that district 

 with which the writer is best acquainted ? Severn salmon, 

 I am aware, are particularly rich in curd, and choice in 

 flavour and excellence. The otters may know this, and 

 feed upon them accordingly; still, it would be interesting 

 to all hunters of the otter to learn by what means or 

 appearance it was so decisively known that these ninety- 

 nine salmon had been killed by otters. The little tit-bit 

 eaten out of the shoulders we have all heard of, but I have 

 seen a common rat engaged on a dead salmon picking out 

 that identical portion which is said to be the bonne bouche of 

 the animal of which I write, and the carrion crow and the 

 magpie I have seen pecking away at the shoulders of a 

 dead salmon lying on the water's brink. The poor otter 

 has many enemies, and, alas ! few friends, but I must say 

 that those persons who are best acquainted with his habits 

 are the very ones who come forward in his defence ; and 

 such is not usually the case unless, the animal attacked 

 is more sinned against than sinning. That the otter is the 

 latter I have no manner of doubt." 



Wonderful stories are told of otters dragging to shore 



