THE RUDD. 215 



The Blm Roach. 



Mr. Yarrell mentions another species of roach ; a specimen of 

 which he was furnished with by the late Lord Derby. It is pro- 

 vincially, he informs us, styled the blue roach, and sometimes at- 

 tains a pound weight, It takes the same baits as the common 

 roach, biting very freely, and is said to be by no means a bad fish 

 resembling very much the perch in flavour The spawning time is 

 in May. The form and position of the fins resembles the common 

 roach, but the latter instead of being of a red or orange hue, as 

 in the former fish, are perfectly white. The upper part of the body 

 is of a slaty blue colour (from which the fish derives its name,) 

 changing gradually on the sides to a silvery brightness ; the belly 

 i s white A good representation of this, may also be found in the 

 first volume of Mr. Yarrell's work. 



The Rudd. 



The rudd, or it is termed in Norfolk the Finscale, is a fish of 

 very respectable size, bearing a strong resemblance to the roach, 

 but from which it is distinguishable by a golden tint with a reddish 

 cast that gives it a very brilliant appearance. It is taken with the 

 same baits as the roach and dace, but it is far better eating than 

 either of those fishes. Its spawning time is towards the latter end 

 of the spring, at which time it is out of condition ; but it soon re- 

 covers, and is again fit for the table by the latter end of May. 



