24 FAMILIAR FISH, THEIR HABITS AND CAPTURE 



justify the belief that the rainbow trout can be used 

 to stock streams formerly inhabited by brook trout, 

 but in which the latter can no longer thrive owing to 

 changed conditions unfavorable to its habits. The 

 rainbow is also adapted to warmer and deeper waters, 

 and can live where the brook trout can not. They 

 certainly increase more rapidly, as, unlike the brook 

 trout, they will not devour their young, nor wilJ 

 they take a minnow of any kind unless forced by hun- 

 ger, in the absence of other food. 



As is the case with the brook trout, the rainbow 

 varies much in coloring, according to the water it 

 inhabits, its sex, and age. The back is usually of a 

 bluish color, the sides and belly being silvery. Along 

 the middle of the side, running the whole length of 

 the body, is a narrow, semi-distinct, iridescent red or 

 pink stripe. From this marking the fish is properly 

 named. Below this band there are usually no spots, 

 but above and on the back are a large number of 

 plain black ones. It has no colored spots whatever. 



The brown trout is the common trout of Europe, 

 known in Germany as " Forelle." It is not necessary 

 to give a detailed description of this fish, for the rea- 

 son that at present but an insignificant number are 

 being taken. Comparatively few waters have thus 

 far been stocked, and it is only occasionally that one is 

 taken outside. Some years ago a quantity of the eggs 



