CHAPTER IV 



Observations of the Nature and Breeding of the Trout, and 

 how to Fish for him ; and the Milkmaid's Song. 



HE Trout is a fish highly valued both in this and 

 foreign nations : he may be justly said (as the old 

 poet said of wine, and we English say of venison) 

 to be a generous fish : a fish that is so like the 

 buck that he also has his seasons ; for it is ob- 

 served, that he comes in and goes out of season 

 with the stag and buck ; Gesner says, his name is 

 of a German offspring, and says he is a fish that feeds clean and 

 purely, in the swiftest streams, and on the hardest gravel ; and that 

 he may justly contend with all fresh-water fish, as the Mullet may 

 with all sea-fish, for precedency and daintiness of taste, and that 

 being in right season, the most dainty palates have allowed prece- 

 dency to him. 



And before I go further in my discourse, let me tell you, that you 

 are to observe, that as there be some barren does, that are good in 

 summer, so there be some barren trouts that are good in winter ; but 

 there are not many that are so, for usually they be in their perfection 

 in the month of May, and decline with the buck. Now you are to 

 take notice, that in several countries, as in Germany and in other 

 parts, compared to ours, fish do differ much in their bigness and 

 shape, and other ways, and so do trouts ; it is well known that in 



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