TVAVS OF FRESH-WATER FISHES. 155 



ways been accustomed to watch for the gudgeon 

 coming down to them from the boards above, and 

 they would only take the bait in that fashion. 



One evening I remember a visitor arrived with a 

 trolling-rod of the latest manufacture, and he tried 

 his luck there without success. The four friends 

 alluded to were at their accustomed place ; and with 

 more directness than nicety of expression, one of 

 them asked when he intended "to leave off heavin' 

 an' pit chin' about? — they'd come to catch fish, and 

 if he wanted to act the fule, he'd better git lower 

 down the pond." 



Although the pike has been, credited with indis- 

 criminating voracity, he is, at certain times of the 

 year, very "picksome," as our folks say, if not 

 dainty. That is when the water-fowl — the swimmers 

 and the waders — leave their homes to paddle and 

 run amongst and over the weeds that cover and line 

 the waters which the pike frequents. You can see 

 his alligator - like head just clear of the masses of 

 weed that surround the fish ; and you may try him 

 with anything you like — roach, dace, gudgeon, or 

 minnow — he will have none of them. He is intent 

 on other game. You can hear the bird-life that is 



