PRACTICAL ESSAY. 



of the old and young birds, which contain a vast quantity of the 

 bones of minnows and other small fry, are deposited in this chamber, 

 a considerable quantity is accumulated in the course of two or three 

 years. The eggs are laid on the top of this each year, and it is in 

 this manner that the "nest" is formed of fish-bones and soil, 

 emitting anything but a savoury smell. Most anglers by the river- 

 side know the blue, and green, and orange form of the kingfisher, 

 but few have found its nest. The hole is often 3 feet long, and 

 takes a twist which is awkward for any intruding arm. The eggs 

 are seven in number, pure white, with a most delicate pearly shell, 

 and are more round than oval. The kingfisher and the water-ouzel 

 are my favourite birds. 



PRACTICAL ESSAY. 

 THE ROACH. 



The roach is a very well-known fish, abounding in most ponds 

 and gently-flowing rivers. It has been greatly educated since 

 Walton's day, and it requires no little skill to catch a basketful of 

 fair-sized roach ; the small fry may generally be caught in any 

 number. The roach spawns in May and June, ascending the rivers 

 from the lower portions for that purpose, and in ponds seeking the 

 shallow portions, where it deposits its spawn in the weeds. After 

 spawning they scour themselves in the swifter streams, and then 

 for the rest of the summer haunt the slow but not deep streams, 

 retiring in the autumn to deeper holes and quiet eddies. 



The roach anglers on the Thames and Lea make a specialty of 

 the art, and are the best in the kingdom. 



Although the usual bottom-fishing rod will do very well for roach 



