Ground Vermin Trapping Otters. 331 



means form a sort of run (not too distinct) from this grass 

 to the most apparent landing place, at which make an easy 

 slope to the water. At what seems the most favourable 

 part of this for choice, the spot where the otter must 

 make some slight spring upwards set one of the traps, 

 at right angles, of course, to the path of the vermin, and 

 conceal it with as much dexterity as can be brought to bear. 

 This complete, use the means for destroying the scent 

 which have already been noted The otter has always a 

 certain spot to which it goes at least once a day. This 

 place is sometimes an outstanding tree root, sometimes a 

 stone, or occasionally a small heap of sand or earth, scraped 

 together by the otter itself. About this will be discovered 

 the droppings, easily recognisable from the quantity of fish- 

 bones contained therein. Round about this rabbit traps may be 

 thickly set and staked down, so that, in the event of an otter 

 getting caught, its struggles to escape from one brings it 

 into difficulties with another, or two or three others. The 

 several traps will, in this manner, be certain to hold. If, 

 however, it be considered advisable to let them be loose, 

 a cord or long thin chain of about 3oft. must be attached 

 to each, having some float at the end to show its where- 

 abouts when the otter drags the trap into the water and is 

 drowned. 



Another plan is to make certain of the exact landing 

 place of the otter, set one or more traps, and lay them 

 just far enough in the water to be completely covered. 

 They often prove efficacious when tilled in this manner, 

 and when a systematic war is waged against the otters, 

 every place likely to be visited when the varmints land 



