THE GAME FISH OF NORTH AMERICA. 33 



8ALMONID7E, OR THE SALMON FAMILY. 



It must not be supposed, although, for want of reflection on 

 the subject, many persons probably may expect it, that the 

 closest observer and most accurate discriminator of the facts on 

 which the science of the naturalist is founded, can lay down the 

 law with regard to the habits, the food, the haunts, the appetites, 

 or even the distinct species, of that portion of the animal crea- 

 tion which dwell for the most part unseen in the bosom of the 

 waters, with the same certainty as he can those of domestic 

 animals, or even of birds and beasts, ferce naturd. 



Of the latter even, especially of wild birds, which emigrate 

 from clime to clime with the change of seasons, there has been 

 much difficulty in ascertaining the growth, the age, and the 

 changes of plumage, from the immature to the adult animal, or 

 from the winter to the summer dress — so much so, that out 

 of individuals difi'ering in age, sex, or season, of the same 

 family, and belonging to a single species, in many instances 

 two, three, or more distinct varieties have been created by 

 naturalists. 



Much has been effected, indeed, of late in these particulars, 

 owing to the greater science and experience of modern natural- 



D 



