FIRST DAY. MIGRATIONS OF FISHES. 15 



Londoner to his seat in a distant province. And the 

 migrations of smaller fishes or birds always occasion 

 the migration of larger ones, that prey on them. 

 Thus, the seal follows the salmon, in summer, to the 

 mouths of rivers ; the hake follows the herring and 

 pilchard ; hawks are seen in great quantities, in the 

 month of May, coming into the east of Europe, after 

 quails and land-rails ; and locusts are followed by 

 numerous birds, that, fortunately for the agriculturist, 

 make them their prey. 



HAL. It is not possible to follow the amusement of 

 angling, without having your attention often directed 

 to the modes of life of fishes, insects, and birds, and 

 many curious and interesting facts, as it were, forced 

 upon your observation. I consider you (Physicus], 

 as pledged to make one of our fishing party ; and I 

 hope, in a few days, to give you an invitation to meet 

 a few worthy friends on the banks of the Colne. And 

 you (Poietes), who, I know, are an initiated disciple 

 of Walton's school, will, I trust join us. We will 

 endeavour to secure a fine day ; two hours, in a light 

 carriage with good horses, will carry us to our ground ; 

 and I think I can promise you green meadows, shady 

 trees, the song of the nightingale, and a full and a 

 clear river. 



POIET. This last is, in my opinion, the most poeti- 

 cal object in nature. I will not fail to obey your 



