88 



The Salmon 



returning again as clean fish the joining of the new rings to the 

 old is much more pronounced than it is on those of the autumn 

 run ; many of the latter, however, are so short a time in fresh 

 water before spawning and returning to the sea, that very little 

 damage occurs to the scales. When they appear in the river 



'Surr 



S 2, ! " 4 years 1 month 



w* T^^^ 



FIG. 87. Marked loi-lb. Kelt, i6th March 1906. Recaptured clean, 27 Ibs. , 8th August 1907. 



again, it is therefore sometimes difficult to tell whether they have 

 been in fresh water before or not. In treating of fish falling off 

 in condition, I refer, of course, only to fish that would spawn on 

 entering fresh water. Fish caught in the sea and confined in 

 fresh water, as also barren fish, retain their silvery coat and their 

 good condition for many months. Even at the end of four 

 months little difference in their appearance can be detected. 



