TROOTS. 91 



Ducks, Rats, Swans, &c., have all to go, 

 as they are said to devour the spawn. The 

 Otter is somewhat rare in our northern streams, 

 but I have seen him repeatedly busy fishing 

 along with a mate in the evening-. The Heron 

 is common all along the Pow, and takes a 

 few fish, but as he fishes in shallow water 

 and takes a mixed diet of frogs, rats, &c., the 

 harm he does to the fishing is infinitesimal, 

 and he is so majestic a bird that he might 

 well be spared the trout he takes. The 

 Pike and Perch are also natural enemies, but 

 for these I have not a word of commisera- 

 tion. In many of the pools of the Earn Pike 

 and Perch of large size swarm, and they do 

 far more harm to the trout fishing than all the 

 birds and animals on terra firma. 



Recently, the local part of the Earn was netted 

 for Pike, but owing to the banks, and the 

 rubbish that accumulates in the bottom and corners 

 of the pools, many must have escaped the net. 

 The effect of this netting must be felt by and by. 



