66 BREEDING PLACE OF CHARR. 



through rough water, and, according to my 

 informant, in the breeding season, and only 

 then, and for the purpose of spawning. The 

 person from whom I learnt this is a notorious 

 poacher, and well acquainted with the habits of 

 the fish. According to him, though some 

 spawned at the foot of the fall, more preferred 

 the lower, wider, and stiller portion of the 

 Brathay, and still more the shoals of Winder- 

 mere, for their breeding-place; thus, in such 

 variety of locality, showing a remarkable latitude 

 of choice for a purpose in which we suppose 

 instinct to be so mainly concerned. You may 

 ask, perhaps, " Am I certain of the fact ? " Had 

 the man a theory to support, or any interest, I 

 might have my doubts of his accuracy ; but, as 

 his object was only the nefarious one of taking 

 breeding charr, I cannot question it. 



AMICUS. This village, which you tell me is 

 called Santon Bridge, both in its situation and 

 simple character, reminds me of our last fishing 

 station, Bampton Grange.* Here, as there, 

 we seem to be on the outskirts of the Lake 

 District; and I fear too, as there, at some 

 <li stance from our fishing ground. 



* The Angler and his Friend, p. 232. 



