6 AUGUST 1927, Page 17

SPARE THE OTTER [To the Editor of the SpEcraTon.] -Sin, . ---With

respect to the otter's fish-eating habits, it has been stated that for the most part it feeds on the coarser kinds of _fish and also on .other denizens of the streams which, save for ,its-presence, would war against the young and choicer fish, and so is not entirely harmful even from the fisherman's -point of view—which is not mine.

I cannot say whether or not the otter is a credulous animal, but if it, could know .how the great admiration felt for it by your correspondent " W.I." induces him to join enthusias- tically in following it in order to compass its destruction, it is fairly safe to surmise that the otter would fain dispense with this great admiration and its consequence.—I am, Sir, &e.,