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SMITHSONIAN MISCELIvANl^OUS COLLECTIONS 



VOL. 52 



VI 



The Archers subsist largely on insects and their larvae, and the 

 common species (To.votes jacidator), under some conditions at least, 

 practices what has been called "a singular industry" in pursuit of 

 insects. Numerous kinds of these hover over the water and alight 

 on the vegetation in or close by the water. When the approach of 

 one is sufficiently near, an Archer-fish may take advantage of it to 

 secure a tit-bit or meal. The fish will advance towards the insect, 

 turn its head in a proper direction, direct its eyes forward, and take 



Fig. 59. — Archer-fish Shooting at Insect. (Modified after Zolotnitsky.) 



a good look. (Zolotnitsky, 76.) If the insect is badly placed, the 

 fish will back away or change position for a more favorable base for 

 attack. Having found this, it will apply the front of its mouth to the 

 surface of the water, nearly close its jaws, leaving a narrow open- 

 ing, and shoot a drop of water or perhaps drop after drop at the fly. 

 Ordinarily the drops are projected to distances of from 12 to 20 

 inches (76), but sometimes they may be sent even 40 inches or 

 more ("i metre et davantage") away. The aim is almost always 

 true ("II vise toujours juste"). The insect, drenched by a shower 

 of such drops, falls into the water, but the true archer may not be 



