THE STORY OF THE OTTER. 
Were it not for the otter’s desire to eat goose or cluck three times a day 
his .days on earth would be greatly prolonged, but the farmers and poultry 
growers have no patience with the rapacious animal and 'sooner or later he 
forfeits his life for the dainty morsel he is constantly seeking. He is so fas¬ 
tidious as to eat only the best parts of the fowl he has killed. 
When the otter cannot secure the food of his choice he will condescend to 
catch fish or eat the eggs of geese or ducks. 
It is extremely interesting to watch the actions of this almost amphibious 
creature. It slides noiselessly into the water, turns and twists about below 
the surface with the same or greater ease than a fish, then, with a graceful 
sweep of the body, it glides to the surface and ascends the bank with almost 
the same motion. While below the surface it bears a great resemblance to 
the seal, the method in which it disposes its hind feet greatly assisting the 
effect. Its rapid and easy movements in the water are mostly performed by 
the assistance of its powerful tapering tail. 
The otter is easily tamed, and its predatory habits have been occasionally- 
turned to account, as it is sometimes trained to catch fish and bring them to 
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