338 THE OTTER, 



When hunted, and want of air forces him to the surface, he 

 either takes advantage of a water leaf to cover the tip of his 

 nose, all the rest of him being immersed, or comes up 

 under some rotten stump precisely his own muddy colour. 

 Flapper shooters may notice the same instinct, when they 

 surprise a brood of ducklings, though in a far less degree. 

 At the signal of the mother they all dive, but come to the 

 top again so stealthily some under a screen of weeds, 

 wrapped round them like a green veil, and others hidden by 

 a hollow bank or root that, although several are within a 

 few yards, none may be detected until they are winded by 

 the sagacious retriever. 



