284 THE ANGLER-NATUEALIST. 



rally displaying a greatly increased amount of energy and 

 activity. When their passage to the sea has been barred 

 too long, Parrs in this state have been known to leap 

 some distance on to the shore or barrier, and thus kill 

 themselves. 



It has been clearly demonstrated by the proceedings at 

 Stormontfield that about one half the young fry migrate 

 when about a year old — almost all the other half at their 

 second year — and the few remaining at their third year ; but 

 the period of the descent is very generally the same in either 

 case, and in all rivers whether early or late, beginning in 

 March and continuing through April, May, and the early 

 part of June — only a few fish continuing to migrate during 

 the subsequent months. The length of the Smolt when 

 migrating varies from 3|- to 7 or 8 inches, according to age 

 and other circumstances. Its fuU colours are, dark blue 

 or bluish green on the upper half of the body and head with 

 black or carmine-coloured spots, gill-covers and lower half 

 of body silvery, and all the fins much darker than those of 

 the Parr. The silver scales come off upon slight pressure, 

 and the Parr-marks are visible below. (See also p. 241.) 



The engraving represents a Smolt from the river Thames, 



