AND ANGLING SONGS. 275 



observe the same law, and are guided by it to a corresponding 

 point of attack. The daintiness and fastidious discrimination of 

 the otter in that respect savour of exaggeration ; nor is the otter- 

 bit in reality the tit-bit of a salmon. 



In some measure the habits of the tamed otter will assist to 

 illustrate those of the animal in its natural state ; and by every 

 one who has visited the Zoological Gardens in Regent's Park, 

 and taken an opportunity during feeding hours of watching the 

 otters there confined, the way in which they pounce upon their 

 food, the manner in which they bring it to bank and masticate 

 it, will become at once apprehended. It will be observed that 

 when the dead fish are emptied into the moat which forms part 

 of the necessary fitting up of their cage (flounders appear to be 

 the fare usually allotted to them ; why not live eels now and 

 then?) with what unhesitating rapidity each in its turn makes 

 selection of the primest of the lot ; how noiselessly it dives, and 

 gracefully steers towards the spot where they have been de- 

 posited, and having effected its almost instantaneous seizure, how 

 stealthily it climbs the inner parapet, the more timorous retiring 

 with their booty into the kennel, and the bolder ones feeding 

 unconcernedly and at ease in presence of the spectators, how- 

 ever numerous. There are no choice morsels in the carcasses of 

 the bony flat fish it is dining off"; yet it will be noticed that it is 

 at the head and shoulders it invariably commences, and crunches 

 on towards the tail, until it has devoured the whole fish. 



During the winter I have referred to, the Teviot Bridge Pool, 

 facing Kelsb, was also occupied by a couple of otters ; and higher 

 up, judging from their tracks, a third set had established them- 

 selves, at a turn of the river known as the Maisondieu streams, 

 above which, favouring their shelter, lies a small islet thickly set 

 with willows. I am not aware, however, of any depredations 

 having been committed on the Teviot salmon, during the pressure 

 spoken of, by these animals. Means of sustenance were most 



