50 A DESCRIPTION OP 
the tail. When the rivers and ponds are frozen so that 
the Otter can get no fish, he will visit the neighbouring 
farm-yards, where he will attack the poultry, sucking- 
pigs, and even lambs. An Otter may be tamed, and 
taught to catch fish enough to sustain not only himself, 
but a whole family. Goldsmith states that he saw an 
Otter go to a gentleman's pond at the word of command, 
drive the fish into a corner, and seize upon the largest of 
the whole, bring it off, and give it to his master. 
Bewick, in his History of Quadrupeds, states, that a 
person of the name of Collins, who lived at Kilmerston, 
near Wooler, in Northumberland, had a tame Otter, 
which followed him wherever he went. He frequently 
took it to fish in the river; and, when satiated, it never 
failed to return to him. One day, in the absence of 
Collins, the Otter, being taken out to fish by his son, in- 
stead of returning as usual, refused to come at the accus- 
tomed call, and was lost. The father tried every means 
in his power to recover the animal ; and, after several 
days' search, being near the place where his son had lost 
it, and calling it by name, to his inexpressible joy it came 
creeping to his feet, and showed many marks of affection 
and attachment. 
The female Otter produces four or five young ones at a 
birth, and these in the spring of the year. Where there 
have been ponds near a gentleman's house, instances have 
occurred of their littering in cellars or drains. The male 
utters no noise when taken, but the females sometimes 
emit a shrill squeak. 
Otters are generally caught in traps placed near their 
landing-places, and carefully concealed in the sand. 
When hunted by dogs, the old ones defend themselves 
with great obstinacy. They bite severely, and do not 
readily quit their hold. Otter hunting is a favourite 
sport in many parts of Great Britain ; particularly in the 
midland counties of England, and in Wales. 
