TWO FAMOUS SWIMMERS. 157 



This remarkable propensity for sliding is one of 

 the strangest habits of the otter. That the animal 

 should apparently enjoy a regular sort of toboggan 

 slide is almost past one's comprehension. But such is 

 undoubtedly the case. 



Audubon says : " The otters ascend the bank at a 

 place suitable for their diversion, and sometimes where 

 it is very steep, so that they are obliged to make quite 

 an efFort to gain the top. They slide down in rapid 

 succession where there are many at a sliding place. 

 On one occasion we were resting ourselves on the 

 bank of Canoe Creek, a small stream near Henderson, 

 which empties into the Ohio, when a pair of otters 

 made their appearance, and, not observing our prox- 

 imity, began to enjoy their sliding pastime. . . "We 

 counted each one making twenty -two slides before -ne 

 disturbed their sportive occupation." 



" The borders of lakes and streams m the Adiron- 

 dacks," says Dr. Merriam, " show numerous examples 

 of their slides, and also wallowing places in which 

 they play and roll. May's Lake, a small and secluded 

 body of water abounding in trout, is fairly surround- 

 ed by them," * 



The otter is an intelligent animal, of an easy and 

 playful disposition that easily fits it for domestication. 



* Vide Animals of the Adirondaeks. 



