SPAWNING TIME OF TROUT. 51 



vember and December ; although some fish are caught 

 with the milt aiid roe nearly fully matured in the be- 

 ginning of September, and a larger number in this 

 state in October ; others again are not prepared to com- 

 plete the spawning process until January ; and even 

 some exceptional specimens will be found full of roe in 

 April and even May. Hence the spawning season may 

 be said to extend from the middle of September to the 

 middle or end of April ; but the great bulk of the business 

 is disposed of in the months first named. Some fish 

 may be caught in good condition during any of the winter 

 months, and are hence supposed to be altogether barren, 

 as neither milt nor roe is to be found in them; but 

 these, in my opinion, are merely such as have spawned 

 very early in the season perhaps in 'September and 

 recovered their condition again before, winter set in. 



On the approach of the spawning season, the trout 

 commence to migrate from the lower deeps of the rivers 

 towards their sources, and enter all such rivulets or 

 mountain-becks as afford clear waters, shallow gravelly 

 beds, and other requisites for the safe deposition of the 

 ova, and the hatching of the fry. They generally take 

 advantage of a flood during the latter part of September 

 or October, to ascend the smaller streams : and in their 

 efforts to reach their spawning grounds, will endeavour 

 to surmount every obstacle, with incredible energy and 

 perseverance. Dams, bridges, and weirs, are ascended 

 one after another ; and it is almost beyond the belief of 

 any one who has not been an eyewitness of the height 

 to which they can spring in surmounting a barrier, and 



