Water Poachers. 163 



Let us watch them try to surmount the first 

 obstacle ; and here, by the White Water rocks 

 it is a silvery sight to see the salmon "run." 

 There is a deafening roar from the waterfall, 

 and the almost impalpable spray constitutes a 

 constant maze of translucent vapour. Ever and 

 anon a big fish throws its steel-blue form many 

 feet above the water, endeavouring to clear the 

 obstacle. Many times it is beaten back, but 

 at last it gains a ledge, and by a concentrated 

 effort manages to throw itself into the still deep 

 water beyond. Instead of leaping, the female 

 fish try to run through the foam and on from 

 stone to stone until a last leap takes them over. 

 Where no passes exist many fish are picked 

 up dead, the majority of these prove to be 

 males, and this preponderance is also noticeable 

 upon the breeding grounds. The spawning 

 redds are selected where the tributaries are 

 clear and pure where there is bright gravel 

 and an entire absence of sediment. Here the 

 fish settle down to their domestic duties, and 

 their movements seem to be regulated by a 

 dulling stupor. This facilitates observation, but 

 it also assists the poacher in his silent trade. 

 Once settled, the female fish scoops out a hollow 

 in the sheltering gravel, and is closely attended 

 by her lord. Whilst spawning is proceeding, 

 observe with what care he attends her, and in 



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