OTTER-HUNTING 281 



life is annoying to a sportsman with his love 

 of exercise. 



In deep rivers and sluggish streams the otter 

 can laugh at his enemies the hounds, as unless 

 there are frequent shallows they have no chance 

 of catching him. These places, I think, keep the 

 smaller brooks stocked, and will prevent the otter 

 from ever becoming extinct. He has, however, 

 rather a fancy for the shallow streams, where he 

 finds it easier to surprise the fish than in deep 

 water. Though he catches many other sorts of 

 fish, I think he prefers a trout, and when they 

 retreat up small brooks to spawn he generally 

 follows them. Therefore, if you wish to encourage 

 otters on a river, stock well with trout. 



