48 THE HABITS OF THE SALMON. 



but so long as the law remains as it is, their 

 chance is poor indeed ! I have heard it stated that, 

 although salmon may be scarce on the upper spawn- 

 ing grounds, a great many run up after the annual 

 close season begins, and spawn in the lower waters. 

 Quite so. But there are often far too many fish 

 on the lower spawning grounds. For instance, if 

 we take the Tay, we have enough evidence to 

 show that the spawning grounds of the lower waters 

 of this river are frequently very much overcrowded, 

 and, be it said, the Tay is by no means different 

 in this respect from other rivers of a like character 

 It should be noted here that the annual close time 

 on the Tay is from the 20th of August to the 5th 

 of February, and the weekly close time from 6 o'clock 

 on Saturday evening to 6 o'clock on Monday morn- 

 ing. If some of the fish were taken from the lower 

 waters and conveyed to the upper, some advantage 

 might accrue, but besides being a very expensive busi- 

 ness, and so not likely to be set on foot, it is doubtful 

 whether any good would come of it. The question 



