BROOK TROUT 



sand-bank near the pond. In one summer these birds 

 destroyed nearly all the small-sized fish in the place. 

 Out of thirty-eight of these birds taken about streams 

 and mill-ponds, thirty-six contained nothing but fish 

 remains. 



Kingfishers can be successfully captured in traps 

 fastened at the top of stakes driven in the bank about 

 trout-ponds or along trout-streams. The stake or pole 

 should be from ten to fifteen feet long. If the top of 

 the stake is not sufBciently large to support the steel 

 trap, nail a small block of wood on the end of the pole. 

 The trap is set, but not baited. When the trap is set, 

 the little plate that springs the trap when disturbed is 

 the highest point of the trap. The trap must be se- 

 curely fastened to the stake by a cord, small wire, or 

 chain. The birds on visiting the ponds or streams will 

 invariably fly to one of these stakes, light on the high- 

 est point and be captured. I have found a small, 

 round steel trap (one without the shank or tail-piece) 

 to be best for this work. One of these traps captured 

 twenty-five kingfishers at a trout-preserve in Cattarau- 

 gus County. Of course, the pole and trap should be 

 set up near a fishing-ground, where the bird may think 

 it is a splendid spot for observation. 



Ducks. 



Domestic ducks as well as geese are great destroyers 

 offish, and should never be allowed on trout-waters. 

 I have seen a tame duck capture and devour a trout 



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