222 A Scottish Trout Stream. 



Fish forms only a part of the otter's daily meals. The 

 young of water-hens, coots, and other birds breeding 

 by the water-side, and at times rabbits, and even large 

 worms, are common changes in an otter's diet ; while 

 frogs, eels, and the crustaceous crayfish are probably 

 thought as great a dainty as the brightest of silvery 

 salmon. These facts are proved by an examination of 

 the animal's ' foil,' while we have over and over again 

 had demonstration of the avidity with which vegetable 

 food is consumed." And the theory of this writer is 

 that the otter chiefly preys on weak or diseased fish, 

 unable to evade his pursuit, as healthier fish almost 

 invariably do, and that he is thus really a scavenger of 

 the streams. We honestly confess to a sneaking re- 

 gard for the otter, because he has been so ruthlessly 

 persecuted and destroyed, and has shown so much 

 bravery and persistence ; and if the facts are as given 

 above, then the habits and character of the otter should 

 plead for him and prevent the wanton and cruel de- 

 struction of this beautiful and clever animal which has 

 so long and ruthlessly been carried on. But certainly 

 the " Son of the Marshes " is not wholly at one with 

 this idea, for he says the otter eats only the belly and 

 shoulders of pike, and leaves good bits of eel on the 

 banks. "Less refined creatures," he adds, "can dine 

 on what he leaves on the banks." 



Nowadays, in many streams, the proprietors or con- 

 servators of the water, to aid the fish in their struggles 

 to ascend these falls or "loups" to the most favoured 

 spawning grounds, have erected what are called salmon 

 ladders or steps — a kind of artificial aid, which, if we 

 mistake not, the late Frank Buckland did much to im- 

 prove and to commend. In old days, when the legis- 

 lature with regard to protection of fish, and a "close 



