COLOUR AND HABITS OF JACK AND I'IKE. 253 



uiid from natural feelings, they congregate in those 

 parts of pools, and rivers, canals, lakes, or ponds, 

 where small streams and ditches empty themselves, 

 or run into larger waters. In the month of March 

 they spawn, retiring for that purpose, in pairs, to the 

 stillest part of the waters, and deposit their spawn 

 among and on those weeds which are of the nature of 

 rushes, having thick stems, such as the candock and 

 water-lily, and, in default of which, about the roots or 

 lower parts of bull-rushes or sedges. From March till 

 August or September, Jack and Pike are not in a vigo- 

 rous state, seeming more inclined to doze and bask in 

 the sun nearly out of water, than feed ; for at those 

 times it is not unusual to see numerous small Fish 

 swimming and playing around this dreaded enemy of 

 the finny race for hours, without his disturbing them. 

 At such times. Jack and Pike will refuse the choicest 

 bait the Angler can select 3 and if it be placed so close 

 as to touch his nose, he will not take it, but generally 

 draws himself a little back from it j and if you perse- 

 vere in placing or drawing the bait (either live or dead) 

 to him, he will sink or plunge away in anger : in fact. 

 Jack and Pike are among, if not the longest of any 

 Fish, in recovering their health, flesh, and appetite, 

 after the act of procreation ; for few of them will take 

 a bait freely, nor are they often fit for the table before 

 September or October. For during the first part of 

 Summer, they remain long, thin, and lanky j the various 

 spots and golden tinge on their sides and back now 

 lose much of their brightness or brilliancy, and their 



1 



