22
NOTES—ORIGINAL AND SELECTED.
Destruction of Otters in Essex.—We, regretfully, find no dearth of
records with which to continue the dismal story of the persistent persecution of
these interesting animals in our county (see list in The Essex NATURALIST,
vol. vi., pp. 41-42). We have noticed in the papers the following cases :—
Maldon—"Mr. Harry Poole this week came upon another otter on the banks
of the canal, and shot him dead in a clean and workmanlike manner. The
animal is a splendid and well-grown specimen, in the 'puppy' stage, good in
shape, colour, and symmetry, and is altogether a typical example. Its destiny, of
course, will be the usual glass case,"—"Essex Weekly News," March 4th, 1892.
Chappel.—" On Monday, Mr. J. S. Goodey, of Broom Hall, shot a remarkably
fine dog otter, measuring 471/2 inches from the tip of the nose to the end of the
pole, and weighing 22lbs. 5ozs. This makes the fourth otter which Mr. Goodey
has shot almost at the same spot in the river."—"Essex County Chronicle,"
January 6th, 1893.
Wethersfield.—"A fine dog otter was shot in the River Pant on Tuesday, from the
land occupied by Mrs. Marsh. The otter has been about for some time, but was
eventually got after a couple of shots."—"Essex County Chronicle," February
10th, 1893.
Colchester.—"Early on Friday, Feb. 3, p.c. Stannard, of the Borough Police,
saw a fine otter in the river, lying on the mud near Mr. Chisnall's boats. On
being observed it plunged into the water, and made off in the direction of
Sheepen Farm."—"Essex County Standard," February 11th, 1893.
The actions of these "noble sportsmen" are not, however, allowed to pass
without protest. A. writer ("C. C. S.") thus admonishes them in the "Essex
Herald" for January 10th :—"Among the paragraphs in your papers, I occasion-
ally read, 'Another otter shot,' and in the last number I see that Mr. J. S.
Goodey, of Broom Hall, Chappel, is credited with having recently shot no less
than four, nearly in the same place. What pleasure he or anyone can find in
shooting these rare and interesting wild animals I cannot conceive. For my part,
I think it a great pity, and if I had it in my power, instead of endeavouring to
exterminate otters in this senseless manner, I would afford them all the pro-
tection I possibly could. They are very harmless, and extremely scarce in most
parts of Essex, and I think the sight of one to any person with a love of natural
history in its living condition would be infinitely more gratifying than the same
animal stuffed in a glass case. Something may, no doubt, be said for otter
hunting, where they are numerous, with a pack of otter hounds, which affords
amusement to a large number of people ; but shooting them is another matter
altogether, and one which I think justly merits the disapproval of all right-
minded persons. Anybody who has had an opportunity of seeing an otter at
play in the water would indeed feel sorry to see his gambols ended by a charge
of shot through his head ; and I hope the next time Mr. Goodey finds himself
within sight of an otter at this favourite spot, he will refrain from shooting it,
and confine himself to watching the interesting exhibition of aquatic skill which
no doubt the animal will afford him."
Some excellent observations were printed in a late number of the "Fishing
Gazette," which confirm the conclusion we have more than once alluded to that
the otter is not an enemy of the fisherman, but is, in reality, one of his best friends:—
"The otter is still found, though in decreasing numbers, in nearly every part of
Great Britain and Ireland ; and we would say a word in its behalf, for with its