242 FIELD-NOTES FOR THE YEAR. CH. XVII. 



with the habits of fish ; but could we pry into their 

 domestic circles, I have no doubt that we should 

 find them possessed of a far higher degree of instinct 

 and much greater cleverness in providing for their 

 food and safety than we give them credit for. The 

 instinct of fish in foretelling, or rather in foreknow- 

 ing the changes of weather is very remarkable ; and 

 the observant angler may almost prophesy to a cer- 

 tainty with regard to the approach of rain or storms 

 by seeing in what mood, for rising at his flies, the 

 trout may be. In certain states of the weather the 

 angler may put away his tackle without trying to 

 take a single trout ; but this can only be learned 

 by experience and close observation. 



Sometimes on a fine June evening the sea-fish, 

 such as gurnets and coal-fish, take a large white 

 fly readily enough, and fight most powerfully when 

 of any size. 



I took a boat one day to cross over to the rocks 

 of Cromarty, in order to shoot some rock pigeons. 

 The breeze was gentle, but sufficient to take us 

 merrily over ; and putting out a couple of lines 

 with large white flies, we caught plenty of gurnet, 

 &c. The fish darted suddenly and with true aim 

 at the flies when close to the boat as readily as 

 when at some distance. After coasting along the 

 rocks for some time, and shooting a few pigeons, at 



