VARIETY OF COLOUR AND MARKING 207 



migratory forms usually included in the general 

 term, sea trout. Some are thickly spotted, some 

 with a few large spots, others with almost none. 

 All, however, turn darker and more spotted with 

 residence in fresh water, and assume various 

 coloured markings at the time of reproduction. 

 Experienced anglers will recall instances when 

 they have found it difficult or impossible to 

 decide with certainty to what category some 

 particular capture should be assigned. We find 

 that a sojourn in salt water has the effect of 

 producing in the anadromous races a bright 

 silvery sheen or hue which becomes quickly 

 dulled and impaired on entering our rivers and 

 lakes. On the other hand, the brown or brook 

 trout, which frequent the lower or tidal reaches 

 of rivers, gradually assume this silvery coat in 

 greater or less degree according to the length 

 of their stay and the brackishness of the water. 

 In this state they are constantly caught by 

 fishermen in salt water, sometimes at quite a 

 considerable distance from the nearest fresh 

 water. 



Again it is to be remarked that some lochs, 

 as for instance Loch Leven, Loch Craspuill, 

 and others, produce trout of remarkable silvery 

 appearance. 



If coloration mav thus be dismissed as value- 



