INTRODUCTION. vii 



diate neighbourhood, and without regard to any systematic 

 arrangement except so far as to separate the quadrupeds 

 from the birds, the reptiles from the fishes, and so on. 



A good binocular field-glass, to bring the objects in 

 closer approximation to the eye ; a pocket magnifier, to 

 examine the insects and other small objects ; and a note- 

 book, to record results, are strongly recommended to all 

 who take an interest in the natural history of the water- 

 side. 



These notes, now considerably enlarged and with many 

 new illustrations, were originally published in the Fishing 

 Gazette under the title of " What we See when we go 

 a-Fishing," and were suggested by the following circum- 

 stance : One fine September morning, on grayling-fishing 

 intent, when about to commence operations upon a very 

 famous shallow of a very famous river, a flight of gold- 

 finches on their autumn migration flew over our heads and 

 settled on a bunch of thistles on the opposite bank. On 

 calling our friend's attention to these beautiful birds, we 

 found that he was almost entirely ignorant of the various 

 forms of animal life so constantly met with where water 

 abounds ; and from some further remarks made by him on 

 this subject, we ventured into print. 



