482 



AMERICAN FISHES. 



Its average weight does not exceed eight pounds and its extreme weight 

 is probably not above fifteen. Its range is from the Columbia River, the 

 Yukon and Behring Island to Japan and Kamtchatka. It runs in consider- 

 able numbers in the Columbia, and in much greater abundance in Frazer 

 River, where it is the principal spring Salmon. We have no information 

 as to its occurrence in California, or as to its entrance into any of the 

 streams south of the Columbia. Like tlie Quinnat Salmon, it is attracted 

 in early spring into all those streams which are fed by the melting snows, 

 and into no others. Its run in spring on the Columbia is, so far as we 

 know, contemporaneous with that of the Quinnat Salmon. The num- 

 bers are, however, much less, and I think that its run is over, earlier in 

 the fall. On Frazer River it runs with the Quinnat, or a little earlier 

 in the spring, the run mostly ceasing in midsummer, while that of the 

 Quinnat continues on through the fall months. This species and the 

 Quinnat run early and go far up the streams, wdiere, after spawning, 

 they all die. In Puget Sound this species is not known to the fishermen, 

 only stray individuals being taken there. It does not accompany the 

 Silver Salmon and Dog Salmon in their ascent of the Dwamish, Puyallup 

 and other small streams ; neither is it caught near the shore when out of 

 the spawning season, as the other species are. In Alaska and Kamt- 

 chatka we are told that the Red-fish {jicrka) and King Salmon {^chawycha') 

 run in sjn-ing and early summer, while the other species run in late sum- 

 mer and fall, the Silver Salmon last. 



TIIK KISLTCll SALMON. 



Tlie Blue-l)ack is the most graceful of tlie Salmons and the most elegant 

 in color. Its flesh is very similar to that of the Quinnat, but less firm 

 and more watery, and it is not quite so rich when canned, though in 

 favor because of its red color. Next to tlie Quinnat, it is the most 



