234 Bass, Pike, and Perch 



or bands, resembling in a minor degree those of 

 the sheepshead of the coastwise streams and 

 bays. In southern waters the streaks are not 

 so apparent, and it is called white-perch, owing 

 to its silvery appearance. It is a bottom fish, 

 feeding mostly on mollusks, which it crushes 

 with the blunt teeth of the throat. It also feeds 

 on small fishes, crawfish, and other small organ- 

 isms. Its spawning habits are unknown, but it 

 probably spawns in the spring and summer. 



On the Great Lakes it grows to an enormous 

 size, occasionally reaching fifty or sixty pounds, 

 though as usually taken by anglers it is from three 

 to ten pounds in weight. It is of no value as a 

 food-fish in that region, being seldom eaten and 

 heartily despised. On the Ohio and lower Missis- 

 sippi rivers its weight is much less, from one to six 

 pounds, and it is there considered a good pan-fish, 

 selling readily in the markets. There is no doubt 

 but that it is of better flavor in southern waters 

 when of small size. 



As a commercial fish it is taken in nets in 

 the North, and in fyke-nets in the southern extent 

 of its range. On northern lakes it is often taken 

 by anglers when fishing for black-bass, and being 

 a strong, vigorous fish with the family habit of 



