15 MARCH 1930, Page 19

Those who have watched migrating salmon, write and speak enthusiastically

of their scarcely credible powers of leaping a high fall. With a very small experience I have been yet more astonished by the salmon's skill in swimming on what looks 'almost like dry land. This same West Irish river :of Whith I have spoken makes its way into the sea over a width of pebbles into which its waters almost vanish. Yet, when the migratory impulse is strong upon them big salmon would scramble up the pebbles as I have watched grey seal clutter into a stony cave on a Welsh' island. On one occasion the sight was. too much for a Newfoundland retriever which dashed in and returned a fine fish. I believe Lord Knutsford (who can teach a dog anything) has before now trained retrievers to play the part of net or gaff ; but the unprompted retrieving of fish by dogs must be a rare accom- plishment. And yet a dog ought to be a more natural fisher- man than a cat, which may become peculiarly expert.

* st. *