TROUT IX S.A. WATERS 2G3 



varying from gold to silver below, profusely covered with 

 black spots which extend over the dorsal and caudal fins 

 and with a bright red lateral band. The beautiful red 

 lateral rays increase in brilliancy as the spawning 

 season approaches and are much affected by the tone of 

 the surroundings and by excitement. The Rainbow 

 Trout is far more hardy and more capable of accomod- 

 ating itself to various surroundings than the Brown. 

 They seem comfortable in comparatively stagnant water 

 and love a romp in the swiftest flow. The author has 

 killed a few in the lower waters of the Eerste River that 

 were silvery all over, like fresh run spring salmon, 

 and devoid of spots. These had evidently been to the 

 sea or estuary and it is well known that many have been 

 taken by the fisherman's nets in False Bay and offered 

 for sale at Somerset Strand. They vary very much in 

 the display of the rainbow rays and are more susceptible 

 to the influence of colour around them than the Brown 

 Trout. In deep pools surrounded by black earth, the 

 author has killed specimens as black as the earth from 

 head to tail, with a mere vestige of dull silver on their 

 bellies. They can exist in water of a higher temperature 

 than the Brown Trout and are therefore more suitable 

 for certain of our rivers. It is to be hoped that the 

 migration of trout to the sea and elsewhere will receive 

 due attention from those who have the leisure to study 

 their habits. They probably go to the sea with the 

 first flood, say in April or May, and return to spawn 

 the following year. The usual spawning season for 

 Rainbows in Cape waters is in June or July, and of 

 the Brown in May or June, but in each river they vary 

 surprisingly and the presence of snow water from the 

 mountains must influence the congregation of both 

 varieties at the junction of the tributary streams with 

 the main rivers. Judging from the number of female 

 Rainbows that are burdened with ova carried over from 

 the past season, it seems possible that a continuously hot 



