WILD LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 365 



day or two in its full vigour, when the multitude 

 gradually retires into deeper water. 



When thus spawning the roach are preyed on by 

 rats not the water-rat, but the house or drain rat. 

 There are always a few of these about the lake, and 

 they grow to an enormous size. They destroy the 

 roach in great numbers. I have seen the sand strewn 

 with dead fish opposite and leading up to their holes ; 

 for they catch and kill many more than they can eat, 

 or even have time to carry away. I have shot at these 

 great rascals when they have been swimming fifty yards 

 from shore, and I strongly suspect them of visiting 

 the nests of moor-hens and other waterfowl with 

 felonious purposes. They catch fish at any time 

 they see a chance, but are most destructive during 

 the spawning season, because then the roach come 

 within reach. Such rats, too, haunt the ditches and 

 mounds, and are as dangerous to all kinds of game as 

 any weasel, crow, or hawk. 



Tench lie in the deep, muddy holes. With the ex- 

 ception of the tench, the greater number of the fish 

 in this mere haunt the sandy and stony shores. When 

 the Jake is full there are broad stretches of water which 

 are shallow and where the bottom is mud. You may 

 look here in vain for fish : of course there are some ; 

 but as you glide over noiselessly in a punt, gazing 

 down into the water as you drift before the gentle 

 summer breeze, you will not see any of those shoals 

 that frequent the other shores where the bottom is 

 clearer. Other favourite places are where the brooks 



