THE OTTER, 
198 
Though the otter will sometimes attach 
poultry and the smaller quadrupeds, its priP' 
cipal food consists of fish ; but it is very nic^' 
and will only eat such as are jjerfectly fresh' 
It swims against the stream in rivers, and vcia)' 
frequently be seen in concert with a companion 
hunting the salmon. When it has caught ^ 
fish, it devours it as far as the vent ; bub 
unless very hard pressed by hunger, it leaves 
all the rest. It is asserted that otters 
even go out to sea to a considerable distance 
in quest of this their favourite food, and 
they have been seen about the Orkneys hunk 
ing sea-fish, especially cod. 
Otters are often taken in traps, and tb^ 
hunting of these animals is with some a pal" 
ticular diversion. The old otters will defen^l 
themselves against the dogs to the last e%' 
tremity : they bite keenly, never loosing thni^ 
hold but with life, or making complaint fat 
wounds however severe. 
