Biological Survey — Genesee River 59 



of diatoms. September 2, tributary of Black creek (Monroe Co.). 3 inches. 

 Stomach contained only fragments of vegetable debris. 



yotetnigonus crysoleueas (Mitchill). — Golden shiner, roach. Locally com- 

 mon, — lakes and warm, weedy streams ( notably Black creek, Monroe Co. ) . 

 I'refers sluggish waters where plants are present. A choice bait for fishes 

 of the pike family in the lakes and an important natural food for these fishes. 

 Septeml>er 2, Black creek (Monroe Co.), 3 9/1(5 inches. Foo<l : algae 

 (tSpirogira) to the extent of 959^. The other o% consisted of one water 

 mite ( Hydracarin a) . 



Xotropis heterolepis Eigenmann and P^igenmann. — Black-nose shiner. Rare. 

 A single specimen from Dykes creek (Allegany Co.), June 21. 



Notropis heterodon (Cope.) — Rare. A few small specimens were taken in 

 Black creek (Monroe Co.) among weed beds. Occurs in Lake Ontario (Ever- 

 mann and Kendall 1901), and could be expected in lower Genesee river. 

 September 2, Black creek (Monroe Co.), 1 3/10 inches. Food: small Crusta- 

 cea ( mostly Chydorinae ) . 



Notropis delieiosus Girard. — Straw-colored minnow. Common in Genesej 

 river and large, warm tributaries. Strong to moderate current. An import- 

 ant food resource of small-mouthed black bass in the river. June 29, Genese ' 

 river at Belm<mt (below dam) 21/4 inches. Food: mud containing diatoms, 

 and other small algae. July 0, Genesee river near Caneadea (Allegany Co.) 

 2% inches. Food: diatomaceous mud containing one midge larva {ChiroU'O- 

 midae) and a few fragments of green and blue-green algae. 



Notropis hudsonius (DeWitt Clinton). — Spot-tailed minnow, "smelt." A 

 lake species. Occurs moderately commonly in lower Genesee river below 

 Rochester falls. L^sed for yellow perch bait near mouth of the river. Sc'ptem 

 ber (), Genesee river, % mile from mouth, IV2 inches. Food: plankton Crusta- 

 cea (fragments of about 15 Cladocera) . 



Notropis whipplii (Girard). — .Satin-fin minnow, silverfin. Common in 

 Conesus lake. Rather rare in the Genesee river and larger tributaries. 

 Stream specimens were from warm water with moderate current. A good 

 bait minnow though uncommon in the region. August .30, Canaseraga creek 

 3 1/10 inches. Food: rat-tailed maggot {Eristalis) and fragments of an adult 

 insect. This fish was collected from clean water just above entry of cannery 

 wastes. 



Notropis gilherti (Jordan and Meek ) .—Rather rare. Genesee river and 

 larger, warm tributaries. LTsually found in moderate to sluggish current 

 over mud or sand bottom. July 22, Canaseraga creek near Dansville, 2 1 10 

 inches. Food: 2 midge larvae {Chironomidae) , fragments of 3 small insects 

 (1 (^oleoptera) and numerous diatoms. 



Notropis cornutus (Mitchill). — Common shiner, red-fin. Abundant 

 throughout streams ]>ecoming less common in the lower waters of the Genesee 

 where it is replaced by the next species. Warm and sometimes cold waters, 

 being moderately common in some brown trout streams. Takes a smaJ bait 

 readily and large specimens will sometimes rise to an artificial fly. Ranks 

 high as a bait fish. A plentiful food supply for small-mouthed black bass 

 and pike-perch in the river. June 20, Fulmer Valley stream ( Allegany Co. ) , 

 4% inches. Food: 85% plant matter consisting of green algae, diatoms and 

 blue-gTeen algae; the 15% animal food was made up by a caddis worm 

 (Trichoptera) and a small fly { Dipt era ) . June 24, Vandermark creek (Al- 

 legany Co.). Spawning was witnessed by Dr. G. C. Embody and Mr. W. J. 

 Hamilton, Jr. who took the following notes: Nest 1 foot in diameter, 2 

 inches deej), composed largely of gravel size of hickory nut and an occa- 

 sional stone size of an egg. Guarded by brilliantly colored male who 

 spawned with several females. The male wrapped its; tail over the caudal 

 j)eduncle of the female and the two anal openings were close together for a 

 fraction of a second. During this time the eggs were ejected and fertilized. 

 They fell between crevices of the stones and were immediately sought out by 

 Vdack-nosed dace, fantailed darters and red-sided minnows, who "stood < n 

 their heads" and wetlged down between the stones to reach the eggs. The 



