TROUT AND CHAR 
larger when several years old than the one shown in 
Fig. 36. Of these I have caught as many as 60 in one 
day in a sequestered glen in the glorious Island of Arran. 
Although so small these little fish afford quite good 
sport, being strong-willed and very tenacious. As a 
rule, Trout spawn in late Autumn. When that wondrous 
episode, the rise of the Mayfly, takes place, many a cool- 
bellied ‘Trout has the feast of his life. The momentary 
airy creatures soon fall upon the surface of the water 
to the dance of death, and whilst being borne down- 
stream, wary old fish that have carried out a similar 
proceeding in years gone by, just wait and watch their 
opportunity. As long as the flight lasts the Trout have 
a right royal time, as also the Swallows which are also 
attracted to the feast. Whilst some Trout are silver, 
light-yellow, greenish, or even purple in ground colour, 
others are very dark, almost black. Others, probably 
old warriors who have seen their best days, take on a 
greyish, old-age look. ‘The ornate spots which are found 
on various parts of the body, sometimes in profusion, at 
others only sparsely distributed, may be black, brown, or 
red. ‘They also vary in shane and size. ‘The dorsal fin 
is often spotted, as well as the body. The Trout has a 
fine array of small sharp teeth. 
Char. (Fig. 37).—-As has been mentioned in the intro- 
ductory notes to the third section of this volume, no less 
than 15 so-called species of Char are claimed as British 
fishes. Most of these occur in deep and cold mountain 
lakes in Great Britain and Ireland, and it is quite im- 
F 71 
