BROOK OR SPECKLED TROUT. 86 



est waters, such as moimtain streams, sjniiig- 

 brooks, and lakelets, in which the water is pure 

 and cold. Their growth depends much upon the 

 size of the stream they occupy ; if in a small 

 sj^ring brook, they would rarely exceed from 

 four to six ounces in weight ; but if placed in 

 a large river, or lakelet, they may attain to 

 as many pounds, or even more. 



Their food consists of aquatic insects, and 

 small fishes. They are remarkably shy and 

 wary, but when domesticated, will become so 

 tame and gentle, as to take food from the 

 hand. Of all fish, this is the most desirable 

 for fish culture, and should be selected in pre- 

 ference to any other, provided the quality of the 

 water will be congenial to its wants. 



SPAWNING. 



The spawning season commences about the first 

 of October, and continues nearly two months, but 

 a majority are through by the loth or 20th of the 

 month. They invariably seek very shoal, gravelly 

 rapids for depositing their eggs, and prepare their 

 beds by digging a cavity of from one to two feet 

 in diameter, and two or three inches in depth ; by 

 agitating the water in these beds, the fine sand 

 and earthy matter is got clear of, leaving the bot- 

 tom of the bed covered with clean, coarse gravel. 



