Thurston Water used to be famous for its char, which were thought to be even finer and better than those of Windermere. Sir Daniel Fleming of Rydal notes in his account book, under the date February 19th, 1662 (1663, new style):--"Given unto Adam Fleming for bringing eleven dozen of charres from Conistone, for four pies 1s. 6d.;" and he used to send presents of Coniston char pies, as the most acceptable of delicacies, to his distinguished friends in London. In the middle part of the nineteenth century the turbid or poisonous matter washed into the lake by the streams from the copper mines, then in full work, is said to have killed off both char and trout; but it is an ill-wind that blows nobody good, and the cessation of copper mining has left the water pure again. The Angling Association has restocked the lake from Windermere, and is breeding fish by thousands from spawn in its pond near Coniston Hall. Both the red char (the larger sort, with red bellies and red pectoral fins) and the silver char (with silvery backs and orange bellies) are now caught, and opportunities for fishermen are increasing with every year. Pike, the natural enemies of char and trout, are kept down by netting, but are often taken with the line; for example, two of 16 lbs. each were caught by Mr. Rylands in August and September, 1897, with yellow phantom and red wagtail. Perch abound, and afford exciting sport to less ambitious amateurs of the gentle craft. There are eels, too, and minnows in abundance, and an occasional stray salmon. Otters are hunted in the summer. Along the shore a quiet observer may sometimes startle one from his repose, and in bowery nooks or up the mouths of the becks may note the blue gleam of the flitting kingfisher. III.--THE MOORLANDS AND THEIR ANCIENT SETTLEMENTS. The moors around Coniston are full of curious and interesting remains--cairns, circles, camps and settlements--of the remotest age in which this country was inhabited. Lying away from the high roads they are comparatively little known, but can easily be reached in the course of a day's walk or on horseback, or else by cycling--so far as the cycle will go, which is usually within a short distance of the spots to be sought--and leaving the cycle to the honesty of the country folk.