130 BULLETIN NO. VII. 



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 movement is 

 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 the spring 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. 



"TheCannada 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. This sport they 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 ones in March or April (Brit. Quad. 1837, 136). The period of gestation 

 of our species, if different, probably remains to be ascertained. 



