262 FISHES OF ILLINOIS 



along the Illinois River, this stream serving for this species, as for 

 so many others, as a highway for the dispersal movement. 



It is one of the best-known fishes of its area, especially to the 

 small boy. It may reach a weight of six or eight ounces and a 

 length of eight inches, although it is ordinarily much smaller. 

 It is a "very beautiful and compact little fish, perfect in all its 

 parts, looking like a brilliant coin fresh from the mint." 



The breeding habits have been described by Dr. Kirtland, 

 who says that the males prepare a circular nest by removing 

 seeds and dead aquatic plants for a space a foot in diameter, 

 excavating to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. The nests are in shallow 

 water, and are encircled by aquatic plants, space being left open 

 for the admission of light. Observations by Dr. Reighard indi- 

 cate that the male alone is concerned in building the nest. The 

 weight of testimony seems also to the effect that the male guards 

 the nest and young, although the female may be present.* 

 Dr. Reighard says that the male in approaching the female to 

 induce her to enter the nest elevates and puffs out his gill-covers 

 and erects his ear-flaps, so that there is a brilliant display of 

 color to the female in front. He also saw a similar attitude 

 assumed by the male when threatening or attacking other males. 

 The spawning season is May to June. 



The pumpkinseed is a good pan-fish, but is not especially 

 important as a commercial product. It is sufficiently hardy to 

 be transported with ease, and has been acclimatized in Europe. 

 It is one of the best of fishes for keeping ponds free from mosquitoes. 



Genus MICROPTERUS Lacepede 



BLACK BASS 



Body rather elongate, the back not much elevated; mouth very large; 

 supplemental maxillary well developed; preopercle entire; operculum emar- 

 ginate behind; teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines; tongue usually without 

 teeth; gill-rakers long and slender; dorsal spines 10, the spinous and soft 

 dorsals confluent but divided by a deep notch; anal spines 3; caudal emar- 

 ginate; scales weakly ctenoid. 



Key to the Species of MICROPTERUS 



a. Mouth moderate, the maxillary never extending beyond eye, usually a little 

 short of back of orbit; scales on cheeks in about 17 rows; young more or 



less barred or spotted, never with a black lateral band dolomieu. 



aa. Mouth very large, the maxillary in the adult extending past back of orbit; 

 scales on cheek large, in about 10 rows; young with a blackish lateral 

 band .' salmoides. 



* Dr. Smith saw both parents by a nest as a crab approached. The female retired while 

 the male attacked the crab and drove him off, after which he sought the female and returned 

 with her to the nest. 



