160 JUNE 



vigour, and he becomes again one of the most 

 conspicuous of our wild birds. It is curious how 

 many people, with ample opportunities of becoming 

 familiar with nature, have overlooked this summer 

 masquerade of the wild duck, which is the more 

 remarkable because the domestic duck, undoubtedly 

 descended from the mallard, undergoes no such 

 seasonal change. This summer disguise of a bril- 

 liant bird reminds one of the observance of the 

 ancient Aztec nobles, who were compelled to conceal 

 their gay dresses under robes of sackcloth before 

 entering the presence of Montezuma. 



L 

 Trout are now in prime condition, and no prettier 



present can be offered than a brace of 

 A Word to 



Anglers in silvery beauties freshly caught. But 

 Hot Weather r , 



too often they are allowed to lose all 



their freshness before they come to hand. Some 

 people cram the basket or bag with grass or other 

 herbage, thinking thereby to protect the fish from 

 the heat. It is useless worse, it is mischievous, 

 for half-withered grass is apt to impart an evil 

 flavour, and it discolours lustrous scales. Let each 



