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Show 250 MR. A. H. COCKS ON THE BREEDING OF THE OTTER. [Feb. 1, presence. On finding that the bed was not ready, she swam back with the cub across the tank; and although I left the cage as quickly as possible, she made altogether about six journeys across the tank (which is between 13 and 14 feet long), holding the cub by the neck in her mouth, and carrying it most of the way under water. I could not be sure about its eyes, but believe it to have been still blind. It appeared to be about 15 inches long, or possibly hardly so much. On the 29th the cubs were about 1 foot long in head and body, with tails 6 inches long. Weight probably about 2 lb. Eyes open. On the night of December 5, one of the cubs first showed itself, lying with its head hanging out of the box. On the 9th the cubs first came out of their own accord, and went into the water several times (both accidentally and purposely it was supposed) ; the tank being nearly brim full, they were able to get out without assistance. On the 10th I first saw the mother carry fish into the box to try to tempt the cubs to eat. In the afternoon of the same day, the cubs were anxious to come out of the box ; but the mother, hearing the gardeners at work close by, would not allow them. Presently one of the cubs having become very refractory, the old Otter seized it by the side of the neck, carried it to the tank, and gave it a thorough ducking, and thence straight back to bed, where, after another short demonstration of independence, it subsided. On the 12th one of the cubs when out, being frightened at an accidental noise, plunged without hesitation into the tank, and swam across nearly all the way under water. On the morning of the 13th, on m y feeding the old Otter while the cubs were out with her, she took two small roach to them, and tried to make them eat, taking first one fish, then the other, then both together in her mouth, and moving them about close in front of the cubs to attract their attention, at the same time uttering: a peculiar whine or growl, or something between the two, which sounded ferocious. This she has continued to do every day since up to date of writing (January 15) ; and one cannot help thinking that her idea of teaching the cubs to eat is to encourage their natural rapacity by pretending she does not want them to have the food. On this first occasion, though they occasionally gnawed at the fish, they appeared to get nothing off. On the 28th, I turned out the cubs to exhibit; they had now become shy, and bit fiercely. On the 31st, about 11.15 P.M, I found the cubs out, and calling, as if hungry; so I gave them in a supply of food, which they appeared to appreciate. They have continued since that date to expect some food the last thing each night, in addition, since the 5th instant, to a meal about 6 P.M. ; and about the same date they began to eat a little the first thing in the morning ; but they now lie up all through the day, and the mother, when fed at other times than those specified, makes no attempt to induce them to eat, |