1650 Fishes. 



from his canoe, when in still water, the saltnon-tront chase the white fish ; and that 

 whenever they perceived he was near them, they invariably turned round as if to look 

 their danger in the face, and making no resistance, were taken head foremost into the 

 jaws of the enemy. A curious provision of Nature, unnerving the weak to feed the 

 strong. In the winter season the Indians cut holes in the ice where it is transparent, and 

 contrive to drag their nets beneath it. They also spear the trout, using upon such oc- 

 casions a painted fish as a decoy, which attracts the minnows. The voracious trout, 

 perceiving that something is going on, now gets in motion, and the minnows, aware 

 of his approach by the movement of the water, run off in a contrary direction ; which 

 apprising the Indian of the quarter from whence he is making his approach, he adjusts 

 his spear, and transfixes him as he comes up. These large trout look very much like 

 cod-fish; but in their huge gaping mouths are rows of excessively sharp teeth, indi- 

 cative of their voracious nature. The white fish is a sucker, and is not, I think, as 

 pleasant to eat as the trout. This last fish is very firm, and but faintly resembles the 

 salmon, both in colour and flavour ; neither is it as rich, but it is very good, and is a 

 blessed sight to set before a hungry traveller. The white fish, however, is preferred by 

 the inhabitants of Michilimackinac, who almost live upon it when it is in season." — 

 Featherstonhaugh's ' Canoe Voyage up the Minnay Sotorf i. 144. 



Deadly encounter between two Salmon. — Instances of the ferocity of the varied spe- 

 cies of bipeds and quadrupeds have been often recorded in the public journals, and 

 Mr. Jesse and Mr. St. John have lately furnished interesting incidents regarding the 

 traits and habits of these animals ; but we have this week to narrate a more remark- 

 able occurrence, in the character of the salmon, than we have yet had the opportunity 

 to record. The facts are these : while several cuttermen (of the Preventive Service) 

 were on their rounds the other day, and bearing along the Findhorn, between Glen- 

 ferness and Dulcie Bridge, they observed an unusual commotion among the spawning- 

 beds of the ford. On approaching the spot two large male salmon were seen engaged 

 in mortal combat for the possession of a female. Never did chivalric knights contest 

 for the hand of " ladye fair" more fiercely than those buirdly "lords of the flood." 

 The tranquil bosom of the stream was lashed into foam by the struggles of the finny 

 antagonists; in the meantime the object of the fray beating silently about, " spectatress 

 of the fight." From the appearance of the stream — dyed with blood, and gradually 

 assuming its former smooth surface — it was evident that the contest was over. One 

 of the salmon, at last, flounders on the surface — dead, and the victor, it may be con- 

 jectured, exhaustedly bore off his prize. The men, who had the curiosity to watch the 

 fight, as a proof of their story, conveyed the dead salmon to the nearest dwelling, that 

 of Mr. George Mackintosh, March Strype, near the entrance of the secluded valley 

 called the Streens. The victorious salmon had torn off the flesh, or rather fish, along 

 the back from head to tail, to the very bone. In the movement of salmon spawning, 

 the males have often been seen chasing one another, but such a fray as this has 

 not been witnessed by the oldest fisher or poacher on the Findhorn. — Elgin 

 Courier. 



