206 THE TROUT 



in them to make them nod their heads every five 

 minutes ; let him then anchor them far out in the 

 middle of his pond, and for all picturesque purposes 

 his end will be answered. Knowing the mischief 

 they do, I detest swans, and I wish every swan was, 

 like his sable brother, a rara avis in terris, or rather 

 aquis. One had better throw open his pond or river 

 to all the poachers in the district than indulge in a 

 taste for swans/ 1 



But to return to the subject of construction of 

 ponds. 



' It is not, as a rule, a good plan by damming up 

 a stream to make ponds that may vary in volume.' 2 

 So says Seth Green, and the rule has been found very 

 useful in warning beginners, inexperienced in the 

 disastrous results of flooding. The problem, however, 

 of dealing with surplus flood water is one with 

 which most fish-culturists are now familiar. 



On a small rivulet running through your property, 

 and not liable to floods, a series of ponds can be 

 formed by damming up the stream at intervals, and 

 this is frequently the best plan to adopt in such cases ; 

 and even with streams which are subject to floods 

 effectual provision can, in most instances, be made 



1 Fish Culture, by Francis Francis. 



2 Home Fishing and Home Waters. 



