90 THE SPORTING FISH 



How far the spines of the Perch protect him 

 from the assauks of other fish — especially of the 

 Pike — is not quite certain. In many fishings both 

 in England and Scotland small Perch are consi- 

 dered the favourite baits for the Pike, which does 

 not seem to be at all deterred by their spiky ap- 

 pearance. Moreover, as the Pike always swallows 

 his prey head-foremost, whilst the spines of the 

 Perch are capable only of projecting backwards — 

 shutting down like the props of an umbrella upon 

 pressure from in front — it would appear that they 

 ought rather to assist than impede the operation of 

 swallowing. 



The favourite food of the Perch consists of min- 

 nows, of which he can devour an extraordinary 

 number ; but failing these, any small fry, worms 

 (especially brandlings), insects, frogs, caterpillars, 

 and grubs of all sorts are good baits. 



The extent to which he will gorge himself with 

 minnows may be judged by the fact — within the 

 knowledge of most anglers — that when he has 

 filled his stomach so that he can positively swallow 

 no more, he will still endeavour to bite and, if pos- 

 sible, masticate others ; and it is by no means un- 

 common under these circumstances to hook and 

 capture a Perch with the tails of the minnows which 

 he has already partially swallowed, and been unable 

 to pouch, protruding from his gullet ! From this 

 it may be inferred that fish, like many other 

 animals — including man himself, in the first degree 



