THE SALMON, AND MEMBERS OF THAT FAMILY 23 



the brook trout from either the rainbow trout or the 

 brown trout, or to distinguish the two latter from 

 each other. 



There is considerable variety in the color of brook 

 trout, caused by sex, age, or local conditions. The 

 head, back, sides, and dorsal fin are of a greenish 

 color that often merges into a heavy black, under 

 which are twisted markings or vermiculations of a 

 different shade. There is also a general absence of 

 spots on the back. Neither of the other trout men- 

 tioned has these twisted markings, but instead both 

 have spots on the back, these spots being black, as on 

 the salmon, never red. 



Along the middle of the sides of the brook trout 

 are varying numbers of bright red spots surrounded 

 by cream- or brown -colored areas. The belly is usu- 

 ally a bright, clean, creamy white, with often a red 

 band low down along the side on the male. The 

 lower fins are brown or red, the front edge white, 

 bordered with black. Taken altogether, it is by far 

 the handsomest of the trout family. 



The rainbow trout is a native of the clear streams 

 of California, from which region it was brought to the 

 Eastern States. It is known also under the name of 

 " California trout." Its transplantation to the eastern 

 United States has been markedly successful, for it has 

 multiplied there rapidly. Observation and experience 



