MORE ABOUT THE OTTER 127 
patches at intervals ; great rushes, yellow king-cups, 
and irises too. 
This is the home of the moor-hen, but not of the 
otter, only his haunt. All amphibious animals seek 
the land, either to rear their young or for the purpose 
of procuring food. If their mode of life compels them 
to be in or on the water, or paddling about the mar- 
gins, it is imperatively necessary that they should 
have warm and dry sleeping and resting places. Very 
adverse circumstances will drown the otter, the water- 
rat, and that little diver the dabchick, if they do not 
clear out in time. When I have threshed the branches 
of a low oak with my ash staff, to find out what crea- 
tures had sought shelter there, I have known water- 
rats plunge from boughs seven or eight feet above my 
head into the water below. At times they are flooded 
out like ourselves ; yet they must live, and it is a 
matter for constant wonder, the way they can adapt 
themselves to circumstances. 
Our otter is an adept at this. I have been by the 
river-side all the morning without having my float 
once moved. That does not trouble me, for plenty of 
busy life is to be seen in this particular spot. Birds 
and insects are enjoying themselves to the full. Pre- 
sently the cause of the fish not biting is explained. 
As my eyes rest on the far side of the water, I note 
