MA Y-FLIES. 67 



22d of May, and between the hours of 12 and 3 

 o'clock in the day. The May-fly is readily recog- 

 nised by its tail and mode of flight ; it generally 

 rises to about the height of six feet, beating the air 

 rapidly with its wings, and then descends, its wings 

 extended and motionless, the tail elevated reversely 

 over the body, and the two lateral whisks separated 

 so as to form right angles with the central one. 

 It is from this kind of curl in the tail that the 

 name of drake has been applied to the insect ; 

 for the same reason, in some counties, it is called 

 the "tilt-up," the "cock-tail," and in Ireland the 

 " caughlan." 



The trout does not sprjng up to the May-fly as it 

 does to other insects. Knowing that the fly will 

 descend on the water's surface to deposit its eggs, 

 the fish just watches its opportunity, and sucks the 

 delicious morsel in as a man gulps down an oyster. 

 For this reason artificial floating May-flies have been 

 formed, and, when not too clumsy, have proved kill- 

 ing baits. The May-fly varies its tints of yellow in 

 different localities, and it is generally as well for the 

 fisherman to procure his artificial flies in the district 

 where he may be fishing. There is no certain rule, 

 however, for such matters ; a river may be dotted 

 with May-flies, the trout, probably sated, may reject 

 any imitation of their favourite food, but eagerly snap 

 at an artificial nondescript, that would puzzle a West- 



