NOTES RELATIVE TO THE WHITE-FISH. 81 



The white-fish spawn, both in Lakes Erie and Ontario, on the reefs 

 and rocks, during the month of November. The eggs dropping into the 

 crevices of the rocks are protected from suckers, a fish alwa^'s on the 

 alert at this season of the year to devour the eggs. 



The two specimens sent herewith, you will please find by examination 

 differ from each other in many respects. This you will be able to find 

 out to be the case only by close study and observation. The Lake 

 Ontario fish you will find to be a finer and superior fish than the Lake 

 Erie white-fish, both in delicious delicacy of flavor and taste, and the 

 whiteness and riclmess of the flesh. Still as regards the food for this 

 fish, in both lakes, I have in every instance and on all occasions found it 

 the same. The fish live by suction. 



There is an observable difference in the shape of the white-fish of 

 Lake Ontario as compared with the shape of the white-fish of Lake 

 Erie. 



Thus you will please find that the Lake Ontario white-fish are rounder 

 and broader on the back, while the Lake Erie white-fish are flatter and 

 sharper on the back. You can also find out other little differences by 

 actual measurements of the fish, and this at the different parts of them ; 

 and which I have been able, by strict acciu'acyand study, to set at rest. 



I have packed the eight white-fi'^h I now send you in cut straw in a 

 small box, which I understand will preserve them sufliciently for your 

 purpose until they reach you at Washington ; and I shall feel greatly hon- 

 ored if your learned views and researches will hereafter in any manner 

 correspond with my humble assertions regarding this delicious fish. 

 I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 



JOHN W. KERR, 

 Fishery Overseer, Hamilton I}istrict. 



Professor Spencer F. Baird, 



United States Fishery Commissioner, Washington, D. G. 



Wolfe Island, December 4, 1872. 

 Sir: In obedience to instructions from the minister of marine and 

 fisheries, I have the honor to send you, by this day's exi)ress, some speci- 

 mens of our white-fish, taken in Lake Ontario, and I have been farther 

 instructed to accompany them by such remarks on their habits and varie- 

 ties as 1 might think of interest. I would therefore beg to state, from 

 having long experience as a fisherman, that the white-fish which are 

 found in the Canadian lakes are social in their habits, moving about in 

 shoals or great numbers. Three species may be enumerated, quite dis- 

 tinct from each other. The first hfts a very small head and a rounded 

 back, and is known as the " Bow-back." This is considered the best 

 species for food. The second has also a very small head, and a dark, 

 round body, something resembling that of a sucker. Tlie members oi 

 S. Mis. 74 6 



