MAVY-FLIES. 67 
22d of May, and between the hours of 12 and 3 
o'clock in the day. The May-fly is readily recog- 
nised by its tail and mode of flight; it generally 
rises to about the height of six feet, beating the air 
rapidly with its wings, and then descends, its wings 
extended and motionless, the tail elevated reversely 
over the body, and the two lateral whisks separated 
so as to form right angles with the central one. 
It is from this kind of curl in the tail that the 
name of drake has been applied to the insect; 
for the same reason, in some counties, it is called 
the “tilt-up,” the “cock-tail,” and in Ireland the 
“ caughlan.” 
The trout does not spring up to the May-fly as it 
does to other insects. Knowing that the fly will 
descend on the water’s surface. to deposit its eggs, 
the fish just watches its opportunity, and sucks the 
delicious morsel in as a man gulps down an oyster. 
For this reason artificial floating May-flies have been 
formed, and, when not too clumsy, have proved kill- 
ing baits. The May-fly varies its tints of yellow in 
different localities, and it is generally as well for the 
fisherman to procure his artificial flies in the district 
where he may be fishing. There is no certain rule, 
however, for such matters; a river may be dotted 
with May-flies, the trout, probably sated, may reject 
any imitation of their favourite food, but eagerly snap 
at an artificial nondescript, that would puzzle a West- 
