10 



THE YOUNG NATUEALIST, 



liad evidently received the attentions of this enemy of the finny race. 



When fish are scarce, or the weather severe, the otter will descend to more 

 ignoble fare. — earthworms and larvse having been found by Mr. Macgillivray 

 in the stomach of a female otter. An otter was said to haunt the Windrush 

 (a tributary of the Thames), in this neighbourhood, some time ago, and fish 

 not being plentiful, it made great havoc among broods of young ducks, 

 belonging to a farm-yard near the stream. At least the crime was laid to 

 the otter's charge, though the mischief might have been caused by a blood- 

 thirsty polecat, which animal is often fouud in the neighbourhood of water. 



The otter is not only an exceedingly voracious, but also a fierce animal, 

 and will often fight desperately, In August, 1884, the few dwellers in the 

 neighbourhood of Newbridge on the Thames, were disturbed late one 

 night by a great commotion in the water, and on lights being procured, 

 and a search being made, two full-grown otters were discovered fighting and 

 clinging to each other in the most blood-thirsty fashion. A man got into a 

 boat and raised the combatants up out the water with a pole, but nothing 

 daunted, the fight went on, the noise made by the struggling pair being, I 

 am assured, very great. The affray lasted a considerable time, and was 

 renewed farther up the stream. They were no doubt both dog-otters. When 

 entangled in a net, too, the otter will make a great commotion. 



In more northern countries, Scotland for instance, " otter-hunting " is a 

 common diversion, and a rough and tumble sport it must be on the rushing, 

 rocky streams of the Highland glens. It is also occasionally heard of farther 

 south. When brought to bay, it is not easily secured, as its powers of bit- 

 ing, aided by its eel-like twistings and agility, gives it a great advantage. 

 A thrust from a long spear generally terminates its existence, as the dogs 

 cannot easily dispatch such a thick-skinned quarry. 



In March or April, the female otter is said to bring forth from three to 

 five young. In the summer of 1884, several young otters were heard of in 

 our neighbourhood, one in particular having been caught by some conserv- 

 ancy men in the wharf at Newbridge, on the last day of May. It was about 

 the size of a cat, the colour of a water-rat, and showed fight when taken. 

 Two days later, another little one was caught near a mill on the Windrush, 

 at no great distance away. Later on in the autumn, the occupier of a mill 

 on the same stream was going through his water-meadows, with his gun and 

 dog, when the latter pulled a half-grown otter out of a hole in the bank. 

 The mother otter then made her appearance and seized the dog, and a sharp 

 scuffle took place, in which the otter got decidedly the best of it. Mr. H. 

 then shot the young otter, but had not another charge left for the old one. 



The length of the otter is between three and four feet. It has a broad face 



