286 SALMON-TROUT. COMMON TROUT. 



surrounding inhabitants often assemble to admire the 

 strength and agility of these creatures, while endeavour- 

 ing to reach the river from the sea. On the river Wear, 

 near Durham, there is another salmon-leap (as it is called) ; 

 and a third near Don, at old Aberdeen; but none of these 

 is equal to the famous salmon-leap at Leixlip, in Ireland. 



All fishermen agree that no food is ever found in the 

 stomach of the salmon. It is probable that during the 

 spawning season they neglect their aliment, like some 

 other fish ; and it is observed that they always return to the 

 sea lean, though they left it in good condition. It is evi- 

 dent that they vary their food ; for anglers use both fish 

 and worms with good success ; and sometimes an artificial 

 fly proves a tempting bait. 



THE SALMON-TROUT. 



This fish, like the true salmon, migrates from the sea up 

 several of our rivers ; and after it has spawned, returns to 

 the salt-water. It differs, however, from that fish, in 

 having its tail less forked, and in seldom exceeding the 

 length of twenty inches. Its flesh also is whiter and less 

 delicate. 



Salmon-trout delight in deep holes, and usually shelter 

 themselves under the roots of trees. They continue in 

 season during the whole summer, and may be angled for 

 successfully in the morning and evening. 



THE COMMON TROUT. 



The colours of this fish, as well as the flavour of its 

 flesh, vary extremely in different waters; in every place 

 the latter is much esteemed. The body is long, the head 

 short and roundish, the tail very broad, and the mouth 

 large. 



The trout is extremely voracious, and affords excellent 

 diversion to the angler. It changes its quarters when about 

 to spawn, and makes towards the head of rivers. Some 

 varieties are remarkable for the thickness of their stomachs, 

 which have a slight resemblance to the organs of diges- 

 tion in birds, called gizzards. 



