106 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE SALMON. 



long distance after reaching the salt water ere 

 they return, but this we think cannot be the 

 fact, unless they were to swim at a great rate, 

 which would be against their acquiring the weight 

 and size which they attain to in so short a time. 

 Those fish, however, that do not return until 

 next year may be greater rovers; but we are 

 almost certain that this cannot be the case with 

 the early grilse they must find their food not 

 far from the river's mouth. We have already 

 stated the particulars of the smoults returning 

 as grilse. 



RETURN OF SPAWNED FISH OR KELTS AS CLEAN 

 SALMON. 



His Grace the Duke of Athole, for a number 

 of years past, has been experimenting on these 

 fish, and has succeeded in establishing the fact 

 that some of them at least return to the same 

 place in five or six months, having gained in 

 weight, in that time, from 7 to 10 Ibs. These 

 kelts are caught with the rod, and marked with a 

 gutta percha or copper ticket, which is fastened 

 round the tail of the fish. This ticket has the 

 Duke's name and a number on it. When the 

 kelts are caught they are weighed, a ticket is 



