AMONGST WILD FOWL AND SALMON. 65 



farmer there makes a good sum yearly by collecting 

 the eggs and sending them to the towns, where they 

 are sold as plovers' eggs (and, by the way, are quite 

 as good). 



We landed at the bay to put a finishing stroke to 

 the tackle and whistle for the wind, while Ward made 

 a sketch. We had not long to wait; the puffs of 

 wind increased, and in half an hour or so the lake was 

 covered with the dull grey ripple suited for fly- 

 fishing ; after having chosen some flat stones for the 

 harling-line, we shoved off. Allowing the boat to 

 drift across the bay, Ward and I fished at stem and 

 stern, and for a while only getting some small trout, 

 when Ward called out, " I have a good one at last; " 

 but, on being got into the net, it turned out to be an 

 ugly, lean sea-trout, of some three pounds. 



" If this is the sort of fish," said Ward, " we might 

 better be pike -fishing with Flibberty." 



" Be thankful," the Major said, "that he is not 

 in the boat to hear you, and to see that pretty fish ; 

 but this is no fair specimen, yet we shall likely see 

 some even uglier." 



" Do you mean sea- trout ? " 



"Yes, and salmon also. All the salmon -kind 

 quickly lose both beauty and weight in fresh water ; 



