FRESH-WATER FISHES 203 



gits a drop o' beer then an' a bite. Tis a rale good 

 old family, an' has good old-fashioned ways like in 

 the matter o' eatin' an' drinkin', I ken tell ye.' 



' But are you sure the pike swallow the ducks ? ' 



' Sin 'em do it with both my eyes open,' he 

 snapped out, irritated by my apparent unbelief. 

 ' Ain't I told ye ? ' and off he went 



Patience and a silver coin will accomplish much. 

 At last I had permission to try and catch ' one o' they 

 big 'uns,' the ruling power in the velveteen coat, with 

 the double-barrelled gun, assuring me "Tis sheer waste 

 of time, but you can please your fancy ; and you can 

 tell me by-and-by what sport you have, for I am 

 going up in the copses.' 



A breeze ruffled the lake into tiny choppy waves, 

 just the way to suit my purpose. The trolling-rod 

 was put together ; the line run through the rings, to 

 see that all was in working order, and then I took 

 from a nest in the shrubs close to me a young thrush 

 almost ready to fly. Round his body I placed an 

 elastic band, and the hook was inserted between the 

 elastic band and his back, and then I was ready. 

 The band did not hurt him, for he hopped, fluttered, 

 and chirped when I placed him on the grass. The 

 rod was raised and the cast delivered. As the young 

 thrush touched the water he kicked and paddled with 



