SOME FISH NOTES 315 



THREE HOOKS FOUR FISH 



Calver, an old-time Breydoner, whose name is still frequently 

 mentioned in connection with a " drain " he once cut in the 

 mudflats, and which has since deepened and lengthened con- 

 siderably, once set three night lines at a sluice near the 

 seven-mile carr, on the Beccles River ; and going to them 

 next morning found, to his great surprise, three eels and a 

 pike fast thereon. The pike had been prowling around, and 

 evidently looking upon one of the eels as an easily procured 

 supper, had seized it. But the eel was not to be so easily 

 settled by Esox lucius, through whose gills it forced itself, 

 and coming out under the gill-cover, literally strung the 

 unfortunate pike on the line, whereon, between the eel 

 and a stake thrust into the margin of the bank, it was 

 kept a prisoner. 



LARGE SMELTS 



In the spring and autumn catches of smelts (and at other 

 seasons in the year) large specimens are occasionally met with. 

 The following are some examples : 



Jan. 1 4th, 1890. Ex. n in. long; 5 in. girth; 5 oz. weight. 

 20tn , ii | si 5f 



Apl. 22nd I " IJ 5i 6 



/ )J * * J5 J) 7 JJ 



2oth, 1891 12 6 



CODS' FOOD 



At one time, when large cods were frequently taken on 

 long lines in this neighbourhood, it was a favourite amuse- 

 ment of mine to beg the stomachs from the various fish- 

 mongers and sort over the contents. It is surprising what a 

 variety of species, and a number of them, a cod will gather 

 and pack into his maw. I have found several herrings in one, 

 fresh as when taken out of the water ; indeed, I have seen 

 such herrings sold as fresh fish ! I have found seventeen 

 Norwegian lobsters in one cod's maw ; and various species of 

 crabs in others. 



