THE COMMON OTTER. 337 



(says Mr. Pennant) shews great sagacity in forming 

 its habitation. It burrows under-9,round in the bank 

 of some river or lake : and ah^^ays makes the en- 

 trance of its hole under water, working upwards to 

 the surface of the earth ; and, before it reaches the 

 top, it provides several hoUs, or lodges, that in case 

 of high floods it may have a retreat (for no animal 

 seems desirous of lying drier), and then makes a 

 minute orifice for the adii'ission of air. It is further 

 observed, that this animal, the more effectually to 

 conceal its retreat, contrives to make this little air- 

 hole in the midst of some thick bush *. 



In some parLs of North America, Otters are seen 

 in winter at a distance from any apparent open 

 water, both in woods and on plains ; but it is not 

 known what leads them to such situations. If pur- 

 sued, when among the woods where the snow is 

 light and deep, they immediately dive, and make 

 considerable way under it; but they are easily traced 

 by the motion of the snow above them, and soon 

 overtaken. The Indians kill numbers of them 

 with clubs, by tracking them in the snow; but some 

 of the old ones are so fierce, when closely pressed, 

 that they turn upon and fiy at their pursuers. 



They are very fond of play ; and one of their 

 favourite pastimes is, to get on a high ridge of snow, 

 bend their fore-feet backward, and slide down the 

 side of it, sometimes to the distance of twenty 

 yards -f. 



Otters, though naturally of a ferocious disposition. 



* I'ouu. Crit. Zool. t Ilcanic, J7j. 



Vol. I. Z 



