CAPTURE OF ANIMALS. 41 



where it is not likely to be sprung, except by the Otter's feet ; 

 secondly, the trap can generally be set and visited in a boat 

 without disturbing the shore, or leaving foot-prints and scent 

 about the " slide." A sliding-pole should be used. 



Other trappers prefer to set the trap several feet from the 

 shore, on the path which the Otter takes in ascending to the 

 top of the " slide." It should be set in the same manner as 

 I have described for taking the animal when coining on to the 

 " slide," on a preceding page. J. P. Hutchins recommends 

 this method. 



THE SEA-OTTER. 



Along the northern shores of the Pacific Ocean, especially 

 in Kamtschatka and Russian America, another species of Otter 

 exists, called the Sea-Otter or Kalan. It is much larger than 

 the fresh water Otter, weighing from sixty to eighty pounds. 

 During the colder months of the year this Otter dwells by the 

 sea-shores, where it is very active in the capture of marine 

 fish. When warm weather approaches, the Kalan leaves 

 the coasts, and with its mate proceeds up the rivers till it 

 reaches the fresh water lakes of the interior, where it remains 

 till cold weather again approaches. It is a rather scarce ani- 

 mal and not very prolific. The head and body measure from 

 three to four feet in length. The tail is about seven inches 

 long. Their food consists of fish, Crustacea, mollusks, &c. 

 This Otter haunts sea-washed rocks, around bays and estua- 

 ries, lives mostly in the water, and resembles the seals more 

 than the Otters in its habits. It is very timid, and prefers 

 the neighborhood of islands where it can find both food and 

 shelter. 



The fur of the Sea-Otter is very beautiful and of great 

 value. Its color is variable, but the general hue is a rich 

 black, slightly tinged with brown on the upper parts of the 

 body, while the under portions and legs are of a lighter hue. 

 About the head there is occasionally more or less white. The 

 principal market for the skins is in China, where they are 

 greatly prized by the official classes. 



I cannot learn that any method of trapping the Sea-Otter 



