36 AMERICAN FISHES. 



The habits of this fish have been but little observed ; in fact, it has 

 been the custom of nearly all writers on game fishes to speak lightly of it. 

 It found an earnest advocate in Mr. Thaddeus Norris, who, after protest- 

 ing strenuously against the statement of various writers that it is rarely 

 brought to market for food ; that it is only fit for chowder ; that it is not 

 of sufficient importance to merit particular notice, and so on, goes on to 

 state, what is undoubtedly true, that in season the White Perch is the pan- 

 fish, excelled by none in the Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Norfolk 

 and Richmond markets ; and he might have added, had he been writing 

 at the present time, of the New York market also, for there is, probably, 

 no fish of its size which is more universally popular throughout the Eastern 

 States than the White Perch. 



In a single paragraph, Mr. Norris, who, making no professions of 

 scientific skill, has been one of our best observers of fishes, has given 

 almost the only reliable information which has ever been collected regard- 

 ing this species. " Its most natural habitat is in fresh tidal rivers, where 

 it is found on flat clay and muddy bottoms, and in shallow water. It is 

 frequently found far above the terminus of the tide, and is often more 

 abundant in fresh than in brackish water in the season of the year when 

 sought for by anglers. This fish, when found in salt water creeks, is 

 darker in color, but there is no specific difference. The White Perch is a 

 congener of the magnificent rock-fish, and is frequently found feeding in the 

 same place and in his company. Its average length is eight or nine inches ; 

 it is not often more than twelve, though in rare instances it is found four- 

 teen inches long. White Perch hibernate in the deep waters of our bays, 

 and ascend the fresh tidal rivers soon after the ice and snow-water have 

 run off. They feed greedily on the spawn of other fish, particularly that 

 of the shad ; on insects, crabs, minnows and on the migratory schools of 

 young eels which are found in the months of April and May in great 

 numbers at any rapid or dam obstructing the upward flow of the tide. 

 Perch usually spawn in May, and then resort to deeper waters to recuperate, 

 and all summer long are found by the angler, ever swimming around the 

 deep-sunk pier or the timbers of the rickety old bridge, snapping at 

 shrimps or chasing the minnows ; at flood-tide high up amongst the water- 

 lilies, and never refusing a bait, if of the right sort and properly presented. ' ' 



Dr. C. C. Abbott has added some important observations. He found 

 female fish heavy with apparently ripe ova as late as June lo. The largest 



