14 NATURAL HISTORY [Quadrupeds. 



ter lakes. I was lately informed of a pair who made a drain 

 under a house in Kirkwall their haunt. They live upon cod- 

 fish, conger-eel, or other fish in the sea, and trout in the fresh 

 waters ; are very delicate ; eat only the best parts of the fish, 

 leaving the rest to be picked up by the country people. 

 They always shut their eyes while eating; are often then 

 surprised and killed. A young gentleman in the neighbour- 

 hood lately told me, he observed one on a sea rock at 

 his meal, upon which he walked straight up to him, and, 

 with a blow of a cudgel, so stunned him, that he put a strong 

 rope about his neck, and led him home. Another man, who 

 had wounded one with small shot, was not so lucky, for, on 

 his appearing to be lifeless, he threw him over his shoulder 

 to carry him home ; he had not gone far before the animal 

 recovered, and, before he was aware, bit him most severely. 

 Indeed, their bite is always very hard. I was informed of a 

 struggle between a wounded one, and a strong water-spaniel, 

 in the water : upon the latter's seizing him to drag him a- 

 shore, he fastened on the spaniel's leg, and in a moment 

 snapt the bone to pieces. 



The otter's skin is an article of our exports, and when kil- 

 led in winter is valuable ; however, I am told by many they 

 are much scarcer than formerly. Skins sell here for about 

 six shillings a-piece, if in season *. 



I have seen those killed in the sea, as well as fresh-water 



* In Shetland they are very plentiful, and valuable. They transport the fur to 

 Hamburgh, and sell them from six to twelve shillings a-piece. 



