NOTES AND QUERIES. 457 



were also pointing up. There was not from the feet to the tip of the beak 

 a perceptible curve or inequality, but the whole was the figure (the exact 

 counterpart) of a straight tapering rush; the loose plumage arranged to fill 

 inequalities, the wings pressed into the hollow sides, made it impossible to 

 see where the body ended and the neck began, or to distinguish head from 

 neck or beak from head. The entire under surface of the bird was thus 

 displayed, all of a uniform dull yellow like that of a faded rush." We quote 

 here only a small portion of Mr. Hudson's description, which is too long to 

 be given in extenso, but it deserves to be read in its entirety by all those 

 who delight in the out-of-door study of birds, and admire such traits in 

 their habits as are here described. — Ed.1 



NOTES AND QUERIES. 



MAMMALIA. 

 Habits of the Otter. — I have just read in 'The Zoologist' the 

 interesting article, by the Editor, in which he alludes to the " Otter- 

 slides" of North America. These, he tells us, are made and used by the 

 Otters for sliding down the snow-covered slopes of hill-sides for the same 

 reason that boys make a toboggan-slide, that is, simply for the purpose of 

 enjoyment and fun. Incredible as the statement may appear, from the 

 evidence adduced there can be no reason for doubting the truth of it. Of 

 course, English Otters have not such opportunities or facilities for enjoying 

 a quiet slide as their American cousins, otherwise it is probable that they 

 might occasionally indulge in the same pastime. I have been told of an 

 " Otter-slide " down a soft muddy bank in Wensleydale, but have not 

 heard whether it has ever been used for recreation. Most probably it is 

 utilised as the quickest way of evading pursuit. It is beyond doubt that 

 when an Otter is suddenly disturbed on the top of a snow-covered slope 

 near the river, it will glide down so cunningly and quickly that it is rarely 

 seen. Several times I have been in close proximity to an Otter, and in 

 spite of my sharp look-out it has contrived to sneak down to the river 

 unobserved. I could relate several curious occurrences of this kind, but 

 one will suffice. A few years ago, after a fresh fall of snow, I was walking 

 along the banks of a frozen pool, about thirty feet distant from the river 

 Yore, with a steep slope between, when I noticed a hole broken through 

 the ice, which was of considerable thickness, and at the same time saw 

 a coarse fish, partly eaten, laid near the edge of the ice. After satisfying 

 myself that it was the work of an Otter, I turned round and then discovered 

 that the animal had been concealed under some snow-covered branches 

 close by, and whilst I was examining the spot it, had taken advantage of 



ZOOLOGIST, THIRD SERIES, VOL. XVIII. DEC. 1894. 2 N 



