THE BOOK OF THE OTTER 



for the same purpose before to-day. Both otters 

 and foxes have on occasion been bolted from rabbit 

 burrows during ferreting operations. In some 

 countries artificial drains or holts have been 

 constructed for the use of otters, but there is usually 

 a good deal of uncertainty as to whether the otters 

 will take to such abodes. Where old drains run 

 a long way into the land, with possibly a number 

 of branch drains, it is often wise to place iron 

 gratings at some distance from the mouth, in order 

 to facilitate matters when it comes to bolting an 

 otter. As the great charm about otter-hunting is 

 its freedom from artificiality, made holts or drains 

 need hardly be encouraged, except perhaps in 

 extreme cases where there is no suitable lying-up 

 place for otters over a long stretch of water. 



When hunting hounds, the Master will be 

 assisted in the field by two whippers-in, which may 

 consist of the paid kennelman, and an amateur. 

 Their job is to keep hounds in check when 

 necessary, prevent rioting, if any, and keep in 



touch with the pack should hounds go off across 



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