50 SUPPLEMENT TO THE BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



future observers. My own opinion is that such nests are 

 constructed in lakes of considerable depth, with steep 

 shores, where suitable bottom in shallow water can not be 

 found, and the Bass resort to this expedient for the pur- 

 pose of bringing the eggs within the proper distance of the 

 surface. " Homo," of Philadelphia, thus Avrites to "Forest 

 and Stream :" 



" While in Grand Rapids, Mich., during my late vacation, I 

 was informed by Dr. Parker, of the State Fish Commission, and 

 a Mr. Hill, of that city, of a new feature in the habits of the 

 Black Bass during spawning time, which had come under the 

 notice of those gentlemen. It was that of the nest building of 

 these fish within two or three feet of the surface in ten and fif- 

 teen feet of water. Mr. Hill told me he had frequently observed, 

 at the head of some lakes and ponds in Michigan, a collection of 

 ring moss and other vegetable matter, placed with apparent de- 

 sign on the top of brush heaps which rested on the bottom of the 

 lake and extended nearly to the surface of the water. Not 

 knowing what they were, he made a critical examination and 

 .found them always guarded by the Bass which had constructed 

 the nest in the same manner in which they protect their ordinary 

 nests made in the bed of the stream or pond. In many cases the 

 nests would be three or four feet in diameter and larger than the 

 top of the brush pile on which they rested. This habit of the 

 Bass I have never heard of before, and both Mr. Hill and Dr. 

 Parker confessed they had never seen an account of it published. 

 It may be some of your correspondents know of it and can give 

 further light on the subject. May it not be that some peculiar 

 character of the bed of these bodies of water, where the nests are 

 found, renders it impossible for the spawn of the fish which iu- 

 haliit them to properly develop if deposited there, and the nest 

 building is resorted to to aid in a better or more speedy hatching 

 of the eggs? Perhaps more sunlight is Avauted. I am at a loss 

 to give a better explanation of the matter." 



