66 



AMERICAN FISHES. 



So far as known, the breeding habits of the other species of Sun-fishes 

 agree witli those of Lepomis gibbosus. 



It reaches, in the lakes, a weight of about one-and-a-half pounds, and 

 as usually taken is of not over a pound weight. Its flesh is of good 

 quality, similar to that of other Sun-fish of the same size, and is graded as 

 superior to that of the perch, but inferior to the black bass and white 

 bass. It takes the hook freely, and to the small boy is the perfection of 

 a game fish, while even the experienced angler does not despise it. 



W. C. Harris, in his " Game Fishes of Pennsylvania," remarks: "I 

 confess to a fondness for catching the ' pumpkin-seed ' upon the lightest 

 of light fly rods with leader and line of a spider-web consistency. I have 

 caught them, averaging a half pound in weight, by the dozen, with black 

 and brown hackles, and when they reach that size they are so sprightly in 

 their play, when hooked on trout tackle, that we cannot deny them a niche 

 m the gallery of game fishes. ' ' 



SS^ 



THE KED BREAST. LEPOMIS AURITUS. 



The long-eared Sun-fish, Lcpoiuis auritiis, like its relatives, receives the 

 general name of " Sun-fish," " Brim " {Bream), and " Pearch " [Ferch). 

 In Pennsylvania it is called " Sun Perch " and " Red Headed Bream," 

 elsewhere it is the " Red Breast," " Red Bellied Bream " and the "Red 

 Bellied Perch." 



It is found in all coastwise streams from Maine to Louisiana, but does 



