The Book of the Otter. a Manual for Sportsmen and Naturalists.
Cód:
491_9781443753272
PREFACE IN these days otter-hunting is a popular sport, and in consequence there are now many more packs of otterhounds than was formerly the case. Of all beasts of chase in this country, the otter is the one about which we know least, for he is a great wanderer, a creature of the night, and therefore difficult to study systematically. Of the many people who follow hounds, comparatively few understand the science of hunting, or the habits of the creature which forms their quarry. This is probably to some extent due to the fact that there are very few books dealing exclusively with the otter and his hunting. A knowledge of the science of hunting and the habits of the quarry can be picked up by those who have leisure to study the subject afield, but there are others whose opportunities of doing so are limited. It is, therefore, in the hope of interesting and perhaps instructing the latter, that we have written the following chapters. TROUTBECK , WINDERMERE. April, 1922. R. CLAPHAM. CONTENTS CHAP. PAGE PREFACE 7 INTRODUCTION . 13 I. THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE OTTER . . 21 11. THE OTTERS HAUNTS AND HABITS . 42 111. OTTER-HUNTING, PAST AND PRESENT 73 IV. HOUNDS AND TERRIERS. . 112 V. REMINISCENCES . . 132 INDEX . I57 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS OTTER BASKING IN SHALLOW WATER Frozfispiece 70 lace page OTTER TRACKS LEAVING WATER, WALKING 4O FURROW MADE BY OTTER IN DEEP SNOW . 4O TUNNEL MADE BY OTTER IN SNOW . 53 OTTER TRACKS IN SNOW, JUMPING . 53 THE HIJNTSMAN BRINGING HIS OTTER ASHOIiE . 79 K. AND D.O.H. RETURNING TO THE MAIN RIVER . 79 A KILL WITH THE K. AND D.0.I-I. . . I02 A FAMOUS OTTERHOUND, MR V. THOMPSONS SNOWDROP . . 116 SOME OF MR W. TI-OMPSONS ROUGH OTTER- HOUNDS . . 116 K. AND D.O.H. MOVING OFF TO DRAW 39 GOING TO THE MEET BY FERRY ON LAKE WIN- DERMERE . - I39 INTRODUCTION MY DEAR CLAPHAM,-I am much flattered at your invitation to write an introduction to your Book of the Otter, and only wish I were a good enough hand with the pen to do your most interesting book the
Veja mais
