NILGIRI GAME AND FISH PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION. 539 
Rs. 900, and Mr. Wapshare and other gentlemen have also spent money freely 
on similar experiments, which on the whole have been sufficiently encourag- 
ing to warrant further perseverance. 
Enemies of jish—Horned owls, Water-snakes, Otters, Crabs, the larve of the 
dragonfly and mildew (Suproligneus ferow) are the most deadly enemies to 
fish on these hills, The owls hook the fish out with their talons when they 
come into shallow water at night and are exceedingly destructive. The 
Honorary Secretary trapped several owls that had become confirmed depreda- 
tors with gins. No doubt the two male trout which died were injured by 
owls seizing them. Water-snakes, fortunately, are not found above 6,000 feet, 
but they swarm at a lower elevation, and it is impossible to keep fish in any 
small pond if they once obtain entrance, 
Twenty-eight Black spots, which the Honorary Secretary brought all the 
way from Tellicherry, were eaten ina week by 5 snakes, all of which were 
shot as they appeared. Hach snake had 2 or 3 fish init. They do not hesitate 
to attack and kill fish of even half a pound in weight. 
Otters kill large quantities of crabs and dragonfly larve, but very rarely 
kill fish, unless they find them in a confined pond. Crabs and dragonfly larve 
are so destructive to fish ova that itis hopeless to expect trout to increase 
where these pests are abundant. 
GENERAL REMARKS. 
Other Societies —The Dehra Din Fishing Association has been very unfortu- 
nate. After the expenditure of Rs. 900 and infinite trouble, only 4 fry out of 
10,000 ova were put out into the Re Nadi. May they have greater success 
next time ! 
In Ceylon the trout fry put out into the Newara Eliya streams seem to 
have thriven, butdo not increase. These fish are of considerable size and 
come into the runs to spawn on the gravel, when it is found necessary to have 
guards put on to prevent them being netted and stolen. No trout fry has 
been seen in the streams. This is doubtless due to the crabs devouring 
the ova at night. If the fish are stripped and the fertilised ovaput into the 
hatching boxes, those interested ought to have no reason for complaint. 
Messrs. Crossley and MacTaggart on the Pulneys have collected Rs. 700 
already, and are making active preparations to introduce trout into the pretty 
lake at Kodaikanal, in which spirited endeavour all must heartily wish them 
success. 
