2IO AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



as often, except upon close examination, to be mistaken for the 

 chub, or other fish. In some waters, as for example those 

 of the tributaries of Torch Lake, in Michigan, the Trout 

 which were planted some years ago, still retain to some 

 extent their distinctive characteristics of shape and color, 

 and may often be distinguished from the native Trout. The 

 following extracts are from "Goode's American fishes." 



"When Trout have no access to the sea, they still contrive 

 to avoid a change of temperature with the seasons. In mid- 

 summer they lie m the bottoms of the lakes cooled by springs, 

 in the channels of streams, or in deep pools, lurking behind 

 rocks and among roots. In spring and early summer they 

 feed industriously among the rapids. At the approach of 

 cold weather in the autumn they hasten to the clear shal- 

 low water near the heads of the streamlets. It is at this 

 time that they deposit their eggs in little nests in the gravel, 

 which the mother-fish have shaped with careful industry, 

 fanning out the finer particles with their tails, and carrying 

 the large ones in their mouths. After the eggs are laid, the 

 parent fish covers them with gravel, and proceeds to excavate 

 another nest. The same nests are said to be revisited by 

 the schools year after year. 



"The spawning season begins in New England in October, 

 continuing from three to six months, and during this period 

 the fish should be protected by stringent laws. Mr. Livings- 

 ton Stone observed that in his ponds at Charleston, N. H., 

 spawning began October 12th, and ended early in Decem- 

 ber; at Seth Green's establishment near Rochester, N. Y. , 

 it began on the same day and continued until March. At 

 the former station spring water, with a uniform temperature 

 of 47 degrees, was in use, while at Caledonia the eggs were 

 kept in brook water, which is colder in mid-winter, retard- 

 ing development." 



There seems to be some uncertainty regarding the duration 

 of the spawning season. In Northern Michigan I have taken 



