198 THE SEA-TROUT 



Failing their construction, then, the fry must be placed in some 

 small stream, the preferable characteristics of which are that it does not 

 run dry in summer (as so many hill burns do) ; that it has a brisk clear 

 flow over gravel, and that it provides shelter and food from a fairly 

 luxuriant marginal growth. Wherever there is gravel, running water, 

 and marginal growth, the fry will find both security and food and may 

 safely be left to themselves. They should also be placed in a tributary 

 of a main stream rather than in the main stream itself ; and in the feeder 

 of a fresh-water loch rather than in the loch. In both cases they will 

 seek the greater waters in their own good time. 



It is said that great loss of stock occurs in the transition stage 

 between the curbed existence of the alevin and the free life of the fry. 

 I have already discussed this matter in Chapter III, and need not refer 

 further to it than to say that loss incurred at this stage has been put as 

 high as 50 per cent. But it is easy to see that with carelessness the loss 

 might equally be a total loss. What is not known is whether loss occurs 

 with fish hatched and so far developed under wholly natural conditions. 

 Mr. J. J. Armistead states of trout hatching that " It is well known that 

 the greatest loss that occurs amongst trout in our streams happens 

 whilst they are in their early stages. Probably some seventy-five per 

 cent, of the ova deposited by wild fish never hatch, and of the remaining 

 twenty-five per cent., more than half are lost during the ' alevin ' stage. 

 If, therefore, we can care for them so as to reduce that loss to some- 

 thing less than five per cent., it will be seen that an enormous advantage 

 is gained." This statement applies equally to sea-trout hatching, but 

 I think the loss is rather nearer three than five per cent, at Luss. As 

 to loss incurred during the transition stage I can only say that none is 

 apparent while the fry are in the hatching boxes ; and, although careful 

 watch has been kept after the fry have been placed in the streams which 

 for some little time thenceforward will be their home, no single dead 

 fry has been discovered, where if any had perished they might with 



