226 Marsh. 



Now it is passing the willow tree yonder, and see, you can 

 follow it again as it glides noiselessly into the stream, and 

 swims away, eel-like, below the surface of the water. It ia 

 quite a rare animal in Kent now, although years ago it waa 

 plentiful rather than otherwise. Its voracity, however, haa 

 been its ruin. It catches fish with the greatest skill, ita 

 webbed feet, long powerful tail and well-developed inusclea 

 rendering it very agile in the water. If, however, it killed 

 only what it required for food little harm would be done ; 

 instead of this, it kills all it can catch, and many a fine fish 

 may be found on the banks of rivers and streams haunted 

 by otters which has been scarcely tasted before being cast 

 aside. The rat and the crow follow in the otter's wake,, 

 whilst even the stately heron does not object to claim ita 

 tithe of the rejected of the chase. 



The otter lives in a burrow near the bank of a river or 

 stream, generally where there is a moderate amount of cover. 

 A thick, almost impenetrable copse, or a wood, into which 

 it can retreat in time of danger, is much preferred. It is a 

 powerful, heavy animal, some three or four feet in length,, 

 with an exceedingly thick skin, dark brown hair, and grey 

 face. In the early part of the year the female otter usually 

 has three or four young ones, and these are generally born 

 before April has passed. In her burrow the young ones are 

 brought up, and the mother will fiercely defend them, and 

 at such a time generally comes off victorious over any dog 

 that may attack her. 



Well, the otter is gone now, and here, under this copse,, 

 we will slowly return. We need not hurry, for we are 

 quite off the marshes, although the ditches come up to the 

 coppice edge. 



