FISHES OF NEW YORK 263 



well acclimatized, and it is also fairly established in New York. 



The average individuals of this species are less than 1 foot 

 in length, but specimens measuring more than 2 feet and weigh- 

 ing 13 pounds have been recorded. At Neosho Mo. the young 

 have been artificially grown to a length of nearly 1 foot in a 

 year. 



The rainbow feeds on worms, insect larvae and salmon eggs. 

 In streams in which the California salmon and rainbow exist 

 together, the rainbow is more destructive to the salmon eggs 

 than any other species. Spawning takes place in winter and 

 early spring, varying with temperature and locality. The bulk 

 of the eggs are usually taken in Januar} r , February and March, 

 and the average yield from each female is about 900 eggs. A 

 few of the females spawn when two years old, but about one 

 half of them begin at three years. The egg is from ^ to f inch 

 in diameter; it has a rich cream color when first taken, changing 

 to pink or flesh color before hatching. 



The rainbow will live in water of a much higher temperature 

 than the brook trout will endure and it thrives in tidal streams 

 and even in salt water. On Long Island, for example, the South 

 Side Sportsmen's Club obtains a great deal of fine sport with 

 this trout in the estuary of its trout brook. The flesh of the 

 rainbow is generally much esteemed, and in most localities the 

 game qualities of the fish are scarcely inferior to those of the 

 brook trout. 



Large rainbow trout do not stand transportation well when 

 ice is used to cool the water in which they are carried. They 

 frequently injure their eyes, and become blind soon after the 

 end of a journey. They are inveterate fighters, and the strong- 

 est invariably rules and harasses the rest. Contrary to what 

 has been stated heretofore, they will not endure high tempera- 

 tures as well as the brook trout, at least in the aquarium. 



138 Salmo lemanus Cuvier 



Swiss LaJce Trout (Introduced) 



Salmo lemanus CUVIER, Regne Anim. fide Giinther; GTJNTHER, Cat. Fish. 



Brit. Mus. VI, 81, 1866. 

 Salmo trntta JURINE, Mern. Soc. Pbys. Geneve, III, 1, 158, pi. 4, 1825. 



