92 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
NOTES ON THE OTTER (LUTRA VULGARIS). 
By W. Payne Couuier. 
For many years now I have taken a great interest in the 
doings of the Otter. Not only has this crafty animal given me 
much pleasure in following in its chase, but more since I found 
out it was of the greatest use towards the preservation of Salmon 
and Trout. This may seem to be somewhat conflicting, but the 
matter will be explained as my paper proceeds. Of course, 
every rule has its exception, and I will admit that under certain 
conditions some rivers would benefit by its absence, but these 
being the minority they must necessarily give place to the 
majority. Though I have watched the habits of the Otter to 
some extent, I know there is still much to be learned. But year 
by year this is becoming more difficult to carry out. None of 
our wild animals are more sensitive to the presence of the 
human being, and by the increase of anglers, which is so greatly 
in evidence, it becomes harder and harder to get within sight of 
them, the Annual Report issued by the Board of Agriculture and 
Fisheries showing that the increase in the Sale of Trout Licences 
alone is 56,871, per Government Report, 1905. What I have 
just said is only too well shown in the Otter having earned the 
name of ‘“‘ wily,” and, to show its craftiness, it may be stated 
that when a trap, either of steel or wood, is set to catch them, it 
will generally be six weeks before they will again approach the 
spot on which it is placed, notwithstanding that it may be right 
in the middle of their regular path for years previously. I 
have mentioned anglers in the matter of the research, as no 
one is better placed to obtain information on the subject. Fly- 
fishers’ movements are slow and silent, and therefore many more 
practical instances of the natural history affecting our rivers can 
be witnessed by them. 
Until within the last few years it was supposed that Otters 
