Life Story of an OtterThis natural history classic, first published in 1909, is a minutely observed, endlessly fascinating and graphic tale of wild animals in the Cornish countryside. The result of many years spent studying these fascinating creatures at close quarters, this is an unsentimental study of a family of otters, from the birth of cubs to childhood and maturity. We see the seasons change as the youngsters mature in river waters, upland pools and estuary creeks. We read of their nocturnal journeys in search of food, of their skirmishes with buzzards and domestic dogs; of being chased and sometimes killed, by otter hounds in the endless cycle of Nature. Said to have been the inspiration for Henry Williamsons classic work, Tarka the Otter, this beautifully written celebration of these glorious creatures presents a vivid snapshot of wild animals in a countryside teeming with interest, beauty and danger mostly in human form. All is set in Tregarthens beloved West Cornwall and written in his own inimitable style, almost from the point of view of the otters themselves. The text includes an appraisal of Tregarthen and this book by Clara, Lady Vyvyan of Trelowarren. |
Contents
PREFACE TO THE ORIGINAL EDITION | 7 |
EARLY TRAININGS | 30 |
AT THE CREEK | 49 |
SEA AND MARSH | 59 |
THE FAMILY BROKEN UP | 70 |
OTTER CONSERVATIONS | 151 |
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Common terms and phrases
amongst animals asleep badger bank beast began breath cairn cave cliffs clitter Cold Comfort Farm Comeback Kid Cornwall Wildlife Trust cottage couch creatures creek crossed dived dusk eager edge eels Environment Agency estuary excitement eyes face fear feet fell fish followed foot furze gambols Geordie grip head holt hounds hour hover hunt instant John Coulson Tregarthen John Penrose knew Land's End landed ledge Liddens listen looked Lutra male cub Marie Corelli marsh marshman mate miles Moor Pool moorland moorman morass mother mouth nest never night once otter Otter Trust otters killed pace passed prey reached reed-bed reeds river rose round salmon scarcely scent Seal Rock seized shelter showed sight slipped snow soon spot squire stood stream surface swam tarn terrier thought tide took tracks trail Tregarthen trout turned watched whilst wild wind wonder yards