Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/592

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
558
THE ZOOLOGIST.

been taken in the Mackerel-nets" (Pagets). One taken in a flooded meadow near Norwich on Dec. 1st, 1873. Sir Thomas Browne (1662) observes:—"Salmon no common fish in our rivers, though many were taken in the Ouse, in the Bure or north river, in the Waveney or south river, in the Norwich river but seldom, and in the winter. Four years ago fifteen were taken at Trowse mill (Norwich) at Christmas." Thanks to the pollution of our rivers, we have said adieu to this king of fishes. A seven-pound example taken in the draw-nets in the summer of 1888. A trawler brought in, on Feb. 27th, 1896, a forty-two-inch specimen. An eight-inch example taken in a draw-net on May 6th, 1896.

S. trutta. Salmon Trout. C.—Uncertain in its visits, this species appears in the summer months. It is sought by draw-netters, who do not catch so many now as formerly. Great care is taken not to damage the fish in handling. Rarely netted in the Bure and Waveney. [The so-called "Bull-trout," although ignored by Dr. Günther as "not attributable to definite species," has as much right, I think, to the distinction of a true species as the Twait and Allis Shads. It is occasionally taken here.]

S. fario. Common Trout. R.—Lubbock refers to this species as occurring in the Yare and Bure. At long intervals two or three fine examples have been taken at Acle. Several years ago the late Rev. C.J. Lucas turned out a nnmber in Filby Broad, whence they had access to Rollesby and Ormesby Broads. Some increased in size, but they soon diminished in numbers. A local angler fishing at Filby on April 7th, 1896, hooked and landed a 2 lb. 9 oz. Trout; length, 18½ in. It took a lobworm, and when dissected was found to contain several thrown over as ground-bait.

Osmerus eperlanus. Smelt. C.—Very abundant offshore in the autumn, and on Breydon. Occasionally many scores are netted in the serving of a tide, both on the Breydon "flats" and at the harbour mouth. In summer the water is fairly alive at times with young fry. Large ones sometimes taken. I have several eleven- and twelve-inch records. On April 20th, 1891, a twelve-inch example weighed six ounces. Dr. Lowe refers to one "a foot long, which weighed only a quarter of a pound" (Trans. Norf. Nor. Nat. Soc. 1872–73, p. 41). An eight-inch