44 WILD LIFE IN NORTH CANARA. 



One morning as I was swimming 

 out to a rock in tlie bay south of the 

 house, a large otter raised himself in 

 the water a few paces in advance of 

 me. With his head and shoulders 

 above the surface, he looked like a 

 mermaid, and testified his astonishment 

 and displeasure by spitting like a cat 

 and uttering a little shrill bark like a 

 puppy. In order to frighten him 

 thoroughly and prevent his diving at 

 my feet, I made at him splashing and 

 shouting; on this he disappeared, and 

 as I climbed my rock for a header, I 

 saw him land and scamper up among 

 the rocks. Probably he was in doubt 

 as to what manner of animal was ap- 

 proaching him, and abandoned hostile 

 ideas when he saw it was a man. 



