THE OTTER. 



THE body of this creature usually measures about 

 two feet, besides the tail, which is nearly sixteen inches 

 in length. The jegs are short, strong, and capable of 

 acting like fins. Each foot has five webbed toes, pro- 

 vided with strong sharp nails. The fur is of a deep 

 and blackish brown, with two small spots on each side 

 of the nose, and another under ,the chin. The eyes are 

 large, bright, and so placed in the head that the animal 

 can see any object that is above it. 



The Otter does not excavate a habitation, as has fre- 

 quently been stated, but avails itself of any hollow, 

 preferring such as are beneath the overhanging roots of 

 trees which grow on the banks of rivers, or any other 

 secure and concealed hole near its fishing haunt. In 

 certain cases, however, it fixes its retreat at some dis- 

 tance from the water, and when driven by a scanty sup- 

 ply of fish, it has been known to resort far inland to 

 the neighbourhood of the farm-yard, that there it may 

 attack lambs, sucking-pigs, and poultry. 



