452 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



This animal makes its nefl in fome retired fpot by the 

 fide of a lake or river, under a bank, where it has an 

 eafy and fecure accefs to the water, to which it immedi- 

 ately flies upon the leaft alarm ; and, as it fwims with 

 great rapidity, generally efcapes from its purfuers. 



It deftroys great quantities of fifli ; and, in purfuit of 

 its prey, has been obferved commonly to fwim againft 

 the ftream. 



As foon as the Otter has caught a fifh, it immediately 

 drags it to the more ; devours a part, as far as the vent ; 

 and, unlefs preffed by extreme hunger, always leaves the 

 remainder, and takes to the water in queft of more. 



Otters are generally taken in traps placed near their 

 landing places, where they are carefully concealed in the 

 fand. — When hunted with Dogs, the old ones defend 

 themfelves with great obftinacy : They bite feverely, and 

 do not readily quit their hold where they have once faf- 

 tened. An old Otter will never give up while it has 

 life ; nor make the leaft complaint, though wounded 

 ever fo much by the Dogs, nor even when transfixed 

 with a fpear. 



There are many inftances of Otters being tamed ; but 

 in thofe which have come to our knowledge, they were 

 taken when young, accuftomed by degrees to obedience 

 and reftraint, and became fo far domefticated as to fol- 

 low their mafter, anfwer to a name, and employ their 

 excellent talents at filhing in his fervice. 



Otters, when taken young, may be eafily reared and 

 made tame. — We have feen two young ones fucking a 

 Bitch, and treated by her with as much tendernefs as her 

 own offspring. 



William Collins, of Kimmerfton, near Wooler, had a 

 tame Otter, which followed him wherever he went. He 



