36 FISHES OF THE CONNECTICUT LAKES. 



about over by the middle of July, but in a small tributary of Main 

 Inlet on the night of the 15th about 100 were taken in a minnow trap, 

 most of them in spawning condition, 



July 18 in this same stream only a few were taken. These were 

 also in spawning condition. 



July 22: One ripe male; very scarce in this brook now. Only a 

 few stragglers in spawning condition. 



July 26 : Only one, spent fish, sex not determined. 



August 12: Several caught, all spent, and very thin and attenu- 

 ated; 4 examples, all spent, were caught in Eound Pond Brook. 



In this lake these fish are so small that a female carries compara- 

 tively few eggs, but the species is, nevertheless, rather prolific. One 

 specimen 4.5 inches long contained 710 eggs. 



The proportional numbers of males and females at diiferent periods 

 is indicated by the following notes: 



Of 76 specimens taken in Mud Pond Brook on the nights of July 3 

 to 5, only 4 were females. 



Of 35 specimens taken in same jDlace, nights of July 13 to 15, 9 

 were males and 26 females. 



Of 33 specimens taken in tributary of Main Inlet night of July 15, 

 13 were males and 20 females. 



In the lake or pond this sjDecies is gregarious. It is most commonlj^ 

 seen about twilight in calm evenings, when the " rises " may be 

 observed everywhere, as it feeds upon small insects at the surface. 

 It may also be seen in schools, rippling the water at the surface as 

 it moves about. In early evening it approaches more closely to the 

 shore ; at other times it resorts to comparatively deep water. In First 

 Lake it was taken in a minnow trap in 30 feet of water; in Second 

 Lake it could be caught near the shore at almost any time of day, 

 but best in morning and evening. In Third Lake large schools were 

 observed on August 19 moving about, but chiefly near the west shore, 

 and some were caught on tiny artificial flies. The size and abundance 

 of the chub-minnow make it an important food for game fishes, and it 

 is an excellent live bait for trout and salmon. 



11. Eel. AnguUIa chrisi/pa Rafinesque. 



This fish is so well known that only a few local peculiarities need be noted 

 here. Head broad and flattened, 2.25 in trunk ; snout blunt, mouth moderate, 

 the gape 3.8 in head ; lower jaw projecting ; lips fleshy ; eye small, 3 in gape of 

 mouth; interorbital 1.4 in gape. 



Color in life very dark olivaceous, almost black; yellowish white on lower 

 jaws and under parts. Described from a specimen 32.25 inches long caught 

 on a hook in First Lake, July 22, near surface where the water was 60 feet deep. 



There is no other common name for this fish except some that 

 apply to different sexes, ages or appearance, such as silver eel, broad- 

 nose eel, sharpnose eel. 



