98 



Appendices to Twenty -second Annual Report 



were, the reproductive function asserts itself more than the building up 

 of body growth. It is inadvisable to press this point unduly, but if 5852 

 and 8329 had increased as 8044 has done they would now have been 

 fish of 25 or 30 lb. 



In the last group (black uumbers) it seems more natural to suppose that 

 the kelts represented here are again belonging to the summer run of fish 

 like 8171 and the autumn fish of rather heavier weight which immediately 

 succeeded it. In the two previous groups we have clear evidence of 

 the dual migration ; and here again we have a recapture to show a 

 short migration (9062). Recaptures of large fish are naturally scarcer 

 than those of middle weight. If reference is made to No. 6541, however, 

 it will be seen that in the Deveron a very well mended female kelt of 

 19 lbs. marked in March 1902 was taken in October of the same year a 

 fish of 34 lbs., thus indicating that the dual habit of migration still 

 persists in even larger and presumably older fish. No other fish has 

 been recaptured which when marked was a kelt of such weight, and if 

 6541 were included in this diagram it would, I think, have to be 

 placed so as to show at least eight years of growth. According to 

 particulars given me by Sir Arthur Clay, Bart., whose keeper caught 

 the fish, it was a female full of spawn, and we may be correct in 

 assuming that, like trout, salmon still spawn in their eighth year. 



The particulars of the three fish forming the third group are : — 



f 13 lbs. : 33±": kelt: F. : 24th Nov. 1902 : Almond Mouth, Tay. 

 9062 ^ 21-9 lbs.: 37": clean: F. : 6th Aug. 1903: Skin the Goat 

 [ Station, Estuary. 



The example of short migration. 



R9A1 J 13 lbs: 35": kelt : F. : 15th April 1902: Venture (tidal waters). 

 { 241bs : clean : F. : 7th July 1903 : Ricket Lady (tidal waters). 



f 14 lbs. : 36": kelt: F. : 17th Jan. 1902 : Battleby. 

 8161 I 33 lbs. : 43" : clean : 27th July 1903 : Skin the Goat Station, 



Estuary. 



Examples of long migration. 



In regarding the diagram which I have thus ventured to present it 

 is noticeable that, with the exception of No. 8343, all the fish referred 

 to are females. This is in a manner explained when we recollect that 

 the great majority of kelts marked are females. In Appendix Y. I have 

 dealt with the proportions of the sexes found, and it is sufficiently evident 

 that the habit of the male kelt is rather distinct from the habit of the 

 female kelt. Further, from the Tables kindly supplied by Mr. Johnston 

 in Appendix IV., and also in last Annual Report (Part I., p. 60) 

 there seems ground for the belief that the habits of seasonal ascent are 

 to some extent dissimilar in the sexes. We may also reflect that 

 practically all the very large fish captured at any season are males. It 

 is well, therefore, till we gain more definite knowledge of the habits 

 and growth of the male fish, to regard the diagram as bearing chiefly 

 upon the life of the femcde salmon of the River Tay. The year's 

 growth indicated on the diagram must be noted as distinct from the 

 calendar years. By further marking in other rivers it is hoped that 

 our knowledge of the varied habits may be still further elucidated. 



