Animals of the Mississipj^^ Bottoms near Qidnci/. 130 



Localities: Ballard Slough, Harkness Slough, Libby Lake, 

 Moss Lake, Dead Man's Slough, Claus Lake, Willow Slough, 

 mouth of Cedar Creek, Lily Lake, Long Lake, Broad Lake. 



Small-mouthed Black Bass {Micropterus dolomieu, Lac). 



A single young specimen 2.12 inches long, was taken 

 in Willow Slough August 7. The locality is somewhat un- 

 usual for this species. It is certainly not common in the 

 water collected from. Mr. Bartlett informs me that it was 

 brought here some time ago by the State Fish Commission. 



Common Sunfish {Lepomis pallidus^ Mitch.). 



Rare in the temporary pools, becoming common in the 

 deeper water of Long and Broad Lakes; also quite common 

 within the levee. The youngest examples taken ranged from 

 1 to 1.75 inch in length. Adults in breeding colors were 

 caught in Long and Libby Lakes. Females contained ova 

 as large as No. 12 shot. An old gentleman who has fished 

 here for years tells me that in the days of the earlier settlers 

 sunfishes, presumably of this species, were sometimes taken 

 that weighed as much as four pounds. 



Localities : Ballard Slough, Harkness Slough, Libby Lake, 

 Dead Man's Slough, Moss Lake, Willow Slough, Lily Lake, 

 Long Lake, Broad Lake, Mississippi River. 



Red-spotted Sunfish {Lepomis humilis^(ji\r.) . 



This handsome little fish was quite common in sloughs 

 and lakes, — more abundant than we have found it elsewhere in 

 the State. Very few young were seen, and these were nearly 

 mature. It is quite hardy, as is shown by the water it fre- 

 ([uents, and may prove a desirable aquarium fish. All the 

 adults taken differed from the descriptions of Drs. Jordan and 

 Gilbert in having the opercular flap with a wide white margin 

 instead of a red one. Immature examples have the opercular 

 flap poorly developed and are marked in the sides with numerous 

 small black dots, while the red of the adult is largely wanting. 



Localities : Harkness Slough, Goose Lake, Moss Lake, 

 Dead Man's Slough, Claus Lake, Willow Slough, Long Lake, 

 Broad Lake, Wood Slough, pond at southern limit of Quincy. 

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