FRESH-WATER FISHES OF SIAM, OR THAILAND 



497 



suggest a normal habit, although as a matter of fact I never saw it 

 tried on insects hovering near the surface or resting on plants. 

 Probably spiders and caterpillars hanging from their threads are 

 the principal victims of this method of attack. 



Among all the Oriental fresh-water fishes with which the writer is 

 acquainted in the wild state, none gives such an impression of 

 intelligence and efficiency as does Toxotes. This impression grows 

 on an obser^^er as he notes the purposeful way in which a fish moves 

 about in a stream, canal, or pond; the zeal and thoroughness with 

 which it explores aquatic and overhanging land plants for insects; 

 the high development of its sense of sight in both air and water; 

 the skill displayed in dislodging insects and seizing them as they fall 

 into the water; the alertness in avoiding danger; and the readiness 

 in adapting itself to life in small ponds and responding to the atten- 

 tions of persons who provide food. 



TOXOTES CHATAREUS (Hamilton) 

 FiGUBE 101 



Coins chatareiis Hamilton, 1822, pp. 101, 370, pi. 14, fig. 34 (mouths of the Ganges). 

 Toxotes chatareus Hoea, 1924a, p. 491 (Tale Sap). — Fowlee, 1937, p. 246, figs. 



251-258 (Bangkok) ; 1989, p. 52 (Krabi). 

 Toxotes chatereus Webeb and de Beaufokt, 1936, vol. 7, p. 203 (Siam). 



The distribution of this species in Thailand corresponds with that of 

 T. jaculatrix. It is particularly common in the upper lake of the Tale 

 Sap, where many sp)ecimens have been collected. Material has been 

 examined also from the Tapi Eiver near Bandon, the Meklong at Raja- 

 buri, the Menam Chao Phya from its mouth as far up as Ayuthia, and 



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Figure 101. — Toxotes chatareus (Hamilton). Drawn by Luang Masya ; courtesy of the 



Thailand Government. 



