SUMMER ON THE MOORS 107 



(for night use) should have fairly large flies, and these of 

 lighter colours. The droppers of all should be fixed on 

 short, say two inches. In strong water, cast more 

 directly down-stream than is usual in salmon-fishing- ; 

 work the flies less — hardly at all — and bring - them slowly 

 across the current — rather let them "hang." Reel up 

 at intervals after dusk, to see that all is clear and in 

 order. When a fish comes, strike quite deliberately, 

 and never till you have felt him. A landing-net serves 

 best for fish up to 3 or 4 lbs., but have a gaff at 

 hand, in case of hooking a grilse or a salmon. 



July 9-10. — During the whole of these two days a 

 migration of young eels, about 5 or 6 inches long, was 

 proceeding up the river, millions strong. 



An oystercatcher (adult) was shot far up Whickhope 

 burn, North Tyne, early in July, 1905. What this 

 essentially marine species was doing on a mountain-burn, 

 40 miles from the sea and at such a date, passes under- 

 standing. True, there are freshwater mussels in the 

 Border streams; but never a "native" would he find 

 therein !- — no inference that Ostralegus eats such is 

 conveyed. 



Waterhens at this season, finding the original nests 

 inadequate to accommodate large and growing broods, 

 construct supplementary nurseries for their use. These 

 they build quite openly, as though by a curious mental 

 failure to appreciate the new advantages of concealment. 

 In April, when nest-building began (there being then 

 little or no covert), their nests were necessarily some- 

 what exposed ; but in July, when the tangle of rush and 

 sedge is at its rankest growth, they ignore it. It may 

 be that they have reasons of their own for the course 

 adopted. 



