61 
The fossorial ability of the Otter is not of a high order. Its wiider- 
ground retreats are not as ingeniously constructed as those of the Musk- 
rat. It avails itself of any convenient excavation, as the hollows under 
the overhanging roots of trees. Audubon found three Otters on a bed 
composed of the inner bark of trees and soft water grasses. This nest 
was in a hollow tree, with the entrance under water. The Otters were 
captured in the morning, by cutting a hole into the tree above the nest. 
and securing the neck of each animal between the halves of a split sap- 
pling. They g-snerally keep near their fishing haunts, but may be 
driven by a scarcity of fish to resort far inland to the farming lands, at- 
tacking lambs, sucking pigs, and poultry; at least this is the habit of the 
British species. 
Richardson speaks of the Canada Otter frequenting rapids and falls in 
the winter season, to be sure of open water, often traveling long dis- 
tances in search of unfrozen rapids. Pursued by the hunter on these 
journeys, it runs so rapidly that a swift runner on snow-shoes can 
scarcely overtake it. It runs swiftly, and throws itself forward on its 
belly, sliding several yards through the snow, leaving a deep furrow be- 
hindit. This movement is rapidly repeated ; it doubles on its track, and 
dives under the snow to evade its pursuers; if closely pressed, it turns 
and defends itself with great pertinacity. 
The same author states that in the spring of 1826, at Great Bear Lake, 
the Otters often robbed the nets set under ice, taking off the heads of the 
fish and leaving the bodies in the net. 
The period of gestatioa of our species is undetermined. The Huropean 
species, according to Bell, carries her young nine weeks, bringing forth 
three to five in March or April. The American Otter, according to Rich- 
ardson, bas one litter annually, about the middle of April, of from one 
to three’ young. Audubon observes that in the middle and southern 
States they are about one month earlier. 
Uses.—During the century, 1769-1868, the Hudson’s Bay Company sold 
in London 674,027 Otter skins; the Canadian Company sold, from 1763 
to 1839 inclusive, 895 832 pelts. The first mentioned company sold 
14,966 skins during 1868; the same autumn other companies disposed of 
22,000 skins. These figures will give some idea of the commercial rela- 
tions of this species. The skin is removed by a cross slit down the hind 
legs, and withdrawn entire. It is stretched with the hair inside, the tail 
only being slit on the under side and spread out flat. The pelt is of such 
beauty and value, on account of its rich, warm color and exquisite soft- 
ness, as well as its large size, that the animal is systematically followed 
by the professional trapper. Heavy double-spring steel traps are em- 
