THE BOOK OF THE OTTER 



for the same purpose before to-day. Both otters 



and foxes have on occasion been bolted from rabbit 



burrows during ferreting operations. In some 



countries artificial drains or holts have been 



constructed for the use of otters, but there is usually 



a good deal of uncertainty as to whether the otters 



will take to such abodes. Where old drains run 



a long way into the land, with possibly a number 



of branch drains, it is often wise to place iron 



gratings at some distance from the mouth, in order 



to facilitate matters when it comes to bolting an 



otter. As the great charm about otter-hunting is 



its freedom from artificiality, made holts or drains 



need hardly be encouraged, except perhaps in 



extreme cases where there is no suitable lying-up 



place for otters over a long stretch of water. 



When hunting hounds, the Master will be 



assisted in the field by two whippers-in, which may 



consist of the paid kennelman, and an amateur. 



Their job is to keep hounds in check when 



necessary, prevent rioting, if any, and keep in 



touch with the pack should hounds go off across 



1 06 



