260 AMERICAN FISHES. 



" We have started from Williamsburgh or Brooklyn, after an earlj 

 dinner ; passed through Jamaica ; rolled over the plains towards 

 Hempstead ; and, passing through it without stoppage, have turned 

 suddenly to the right towards the bays, beyond which lies the beach, 

 with the incessant surge of the Atlantic moaning in the deep monotony 

 of its calm, or thundering in the hoarse fury of its storm, against its 

 pebbly barrier. 



" Now we are in the land of Trout streams, baymen, and wild 

 fowl. 



" The rippling dash of falling waters catches our ear, at every half- 

 mile as we roll along, and every here and there, the raised bank on 

 our left hand with its line of stunted willows bent landward by the 

 strong sea-breeze, the sluice-gate, and the little bridge, with the clear 

 stream rushing seaward under it, tell us that we are passing a Trout 

 pond. 



" On the right hand, the salt meadows stretch away, a wide, waste, 

 desolate expanse, to the bays, which glitter afar off under the declin- 

 ing sun, whence you can hear at times the bellowing roar of a heavy 

 gun, telling of decimated flocks of brant and broadbill. 



u Now we pass by a larger pond than any we have yet seen, with a 

 mill at its outlet, and in a mile farther, pull up at the door of Jem 

 Smith's tavern. 



" And there we will halt to-night, although it be a better station for 

 fowling than for fishing, for we are sure of neat though homely accom- 

 modation, and of a kindly welcome ; and here it is that the first essay 

 is to be made of Long Island waters. 



" On this stream there are two ponds, both of which were formerly 

 private property, and closed against all persons except those who were 

 furnished with a permit ; they are now open to all persons indiscrimi- 

 nately, and I believe without restriction as to the number that may be 

 taken by each individual, or by a party. The consequence of this is, 

 that these ponds have deteriorated very rapidly, and that, although 

 they are well-stocked with small fish of fair flavor and quality, Trout 

 are rarely taken of such a size as to remunerate the exertions of a 

 good fisherman. Half a pound may be taken as a good average of the 

 fish killed here. In the creek below, where the tide makes, there are, 

 of course, fish, but I never have heard of much work being done in it ; 



