60 Conservation Department 



male opposed this Imt w:is uiialile to keej) the numerous fishes away. A 

 larger male shiner drove the original one from the nest and took his place 

 for'^a few minutes after which the smaller one returned and spawned with 

 several more females. The water at the nest was 8 inches deep and its 

 temperature was 73° F. 



Xotropis cornutus chri/socephahts ( IJafinesque) . — A well defined variety 

 of the preceding, having the scales before the dorsal fin much larger. Com 

 mon in the Genesee river for about 10 miles above Kochester falls and in 

 lower Black creek (^lonroe Co). A few specimens were taken at the moutli 

 of the river. All weie from warm waters. 



Notropis atlieriiioidcs Kafinesque. — Kmerald minnow, slender minnow. 

 The distribution in the region is. similar to that of the preceding species. 

 Septeml)er 4. Genesee river near Henrietta, X. Y., 2 1H/1^'> inches. Food: 

 finely ground insect remains; at least one insect was an adult midge 

 (Chironomklae) . 



Notropis ruhrifrcnis (Cope). — Rosy-faced minnow. Closely allied to the 

 preceding species but frequents swifter streams. Common in the Genesee 

 river and its larger tributaries. Warm, shallow waters of strong current. 

 An imj)ortant food resource for small-mouthed black bass in shallow, rapid 

 j)arts of the river. July 0. Genesee river near Caneadea (Allegany Cv). I . 

 2 15/10 inches. Food: IJOVr animal matter of which 2 young caddis larvae 

 (Trichoptera ) were 30%, 1 mayfly nymph (Ephemerida] was 20%, 2 adult 

 midges {Chironomidae) were 20%, one black fly larva (Simulium) was 

 20%. The vegetable matter, amounting to 10%, was green algae [i^pirogira] . 



RJiinichthi/s catm'acta-e (Cuv. and Val.). — Long-nosed dace. Moderately 

 common in shallow, rapid, warm streams. Taken only once in a brown trout 

 stream. Rapids or very swift water. July 2, Genesee river at Belmont. 

 278 inches. Food: a large quantity of green algae {Tlothrix) . July ti. 

 Genesee river near Caneadea, X. Y., 3 5/lG inches. Food: 10% insect food 

 consisting of mayfly nymphs {Ephemefida) , caddis-fly larvae (Trichoptera) , 

 midge larvae (Chironomidae) and a trace of algae (^pirogira) . July 19. 

 Wiscoy creek (taken in slight milk pollution), Z^s inches. Food: 50% 

 pollution worms (TiiMfiHdae) . Several adult midges made up the other 

 50%. A few diatoms and fragments of filamentous algae were present. 



Rhinichthgs atroiMsus (Mitchill). — Black-nosed dace. Abundant in small 

 creeks. Both warm and cold waters. Nearly always present in trout 

 streams. Avoids large streams and is very rare in the Genesee river even 

 in the more shallow j)arts. Inhabits rapids or pools with strong current. 

 Sometimes sold as a l)ait minnow. Brown trout feed to some extent upon 

 this fish. Food of (i specimens from streams of the Genesee system collected 

 (hiring June, July and August were: midge larvae (Vhironomidae) 70.8%. 

 mayfly larvae (2 stomachs) 10.(1%. adult insects. (2 stomachs) 5%, crustac.ni 

 (I stimiach) 1.0%f, water mites (1 stomach) 0.8%, diatoms and vegetable 

 debris (2 stomachs) 5%. 



Noaomis higuttatiis ( Kiitland ) . — River clinb, hornyhead. Locally rather 

 common. Large warm streams. .Moderate cuirent. Genesee river al)out 10 

 miles south of Rochestei-; Black cieek (Monroe Co.). Appears to replace 

 tlie hf)rned dace ( ScniotilK.s al roitinculat uh ) in the large deep section of tlie 

 Genesee ri\er from neai' Axon to Kochestei'. Septemltei* 2, Black creek 

 (Monroe Co.), 3Vi» inclies. \'\hh\: fragments of about 10 small clams 

 (SpJiacrium '{) . 



Ej-(tg1()ssiitti in(i.i-illiii(iii(t ( Le Suenr). — Cut-li|ts minnow, nigger iluil). 

 ^bxU'rately comrnoii in warm streams, preferring a moderate current and a 

 gra\el or rubble bottom. June 23, (Jenesee rixer iieai- l*ennsy)vania boumUiry. 

 Cnt-lips was seen on spawning nest. This was a i-onnded snuill mound of 

 pebliles 17 inches in diameter ami 5 inches (lee]» at the center. A male 4'^^-; 

 inclies long guaidcd the nest, occasionally adding a |>el»l)le. which he picked 

 lip and l)r«mght with his month. A few eggs (alM)ut a dozen) were found 

 on the u|)streani slope of the mound, adheiing l(K)sely to the gravel. 'I'hey 

 weie 3/32 inches in diameter and opaipie and llatteiu'd on one side. The watei- 

 tem|»eiatnre was 01)° !•'. and tlic air 71 l"\ 'I'lie pool where the nest was 

 located was 1 J) inches (U-cp with moderate cuiicnt. The liottom was gravel 

 covered liv alH.nt i'^ ineh ot line silt. Aii<:nst I. HoiH'ove creek (Monroe 



