NOV. TROUT — OTTERS. 45 



war to the knife with the water-ousel ; and, indeed, 

 I have no doubt that it is not a little destructive to 

 the spawning beds, although I am inclined to think 

 that it attacks the trout spawn more frequently 

 than that of the salmon. If so, this bird also does 

 fully as much good as harm ; the most deadly 

 enemy to salmon being the larger burn trout, 

 whose favourite food is, undoubtedly, the ova of 

 the salmon. 



The trout now betake themselves to every run- 

 ning stream, working their way up the narrowest 

 rills, in order to place their spawn. 



At this time of year the otters are constant 

 visitors at the lower parts of the river, searching 

 for flounders, eels, etc. There are certain small 

 hillocks which every otter as he passes appears to 

 examine in order to find the trace of any chance 

 stranger of his own species. There are now two 

 old ones and two young ones hunting the lower 

 part of the Findhorn ; their presence is always 

 easily detected by their tracks on the sandy banks, 

 as they constantly leave the water on their return 

 up the stream to the cpiiet hiding-places where 

 they pass the day. 



When accompanied by her young the female 

 otter throws aside her usual shyness, and is ready 

 to do stout battle in their behalf. A Highlander 



