THE HABITS OT THE SALMON. 23 



they do not run up one clay earlier than they used 

 to. There are other rivers in which strict preser- 

 vation has been carried on, and although we hear of 

 a large increase of stock in them, we do not hear of 

 any single stream having become earlier by the extra 

 trouble and expense. 



I have occasionally seen the upper waters of 

 various districts well stocked with early salmon long 

 before the usual time, but only when the weather 

 had been remarkably mild ; their earlier appearance 

 was owing purely to natural causes, and to nothing 

 else. These fish had not really changed their 

 habit. In fact, the early ones are seldom if ever 

 found in shallow rivers, but generally in rivers of a 

 long course which hold deep pools, or in those 

 which are fed by big lakes. The fish take up their 

 quarters in easy running water at the tails of pools 

 or in slack water edging the streams, as well as in 

 long, deep, and still running reaches, but never in 

 rapid currents until the spring is well advanced. A 

 big lake has a great attraction for them, and if they 



