The Natural History of the Salmon. 73 



seat of the principal spawning grounds, their object 

 not being to spawn." But how would he account 

 for the spring fish in the Garry, in Inverness-shire ? 

 These fish make their way from the Moray Firth, 

 up through the River Ness and Loch Ness to the 

 Garry, where they give grand sport in the spring, 

 when not a fish is to be caught in either the River 

 Ness or Loch Ness. Mr. Stoddart also asks the 

 question : " What is a spring-run kipper grilse so 

 termed?" 



" I have observed, in regard to spring or clean 

 salmon, having been in the habit for some years 

 back of daily scrutinizing the supply received by 

 our local fishmonger, Mr. Steel, of Kelso, that at 

 least nineteen out of twenty of them are females. 

 Indeed, it is extremely rare in March or April to 

 set the eye upon a male fish unless it be in the 

 doubtful shape of what is termed a kipper grilse. 

 What is a kipper grilse ? I do not, in putting this 

 query, make reference to the kipper grilses of the 

 back end those male grilses which manifestly take 

 the river for the purpose of consorting with the 

 baggits, and which, as everyone knows, are amply 

 provided with milt capable of being duly shed. 

 But I allude to a description of Salar which enters 

 our rivers in spring, having a kipp, or protruding 

 under jaw, yet in its provision of milt being so 

 deficient as to stand comparison, in that respect 



