Fly Fishing for Trout. 107 



delightful accompaniments of nature from which 

 his art has been designated "the contemplative 

 man's recreation." 



Alive to all he sees as he wends his way through 

 the water meadows, resplendent with calthas and 

 kingcups, he listens with unalloyed delight to the 

 cuckoo's cheerful note, a voice " at once far off and 

 near," the jug-jug of the nightingale, the deep, 

 mellow crush of the wood-pigeon's note, which 



" Made music that sweetened the calm," 



the mellow song of the ousel cock, " with orange 

 tawny bill," or the warning voice of the water-hen, 

 that bird -ventriloquist ; and while preparing his 

 tackle his eye is suddenly attracted by that speck 

 of azure blue, 



" The timid Halcyon's vivid dyes," 



as it shoots by in rapid flight ; or he casts his eye 

 upwards to watch the fleecy clouds making their 

 airy way from south to north, giving sunshine and 

 shadow ; a true fishing day 



" All these, and many more of His creation, 

 That made the heavens, the angler oft doth see, 

 Taking therein no little delectation, 

 To think how strange, how wonderful they be." 



And then, after one of these pleasant days, as 

 evening sets in, and all nature sinks in repose, he 



