BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES 
to be tempted to sample the bait pi before them. This 
they frequently do. 
Dace.—Leuciscus leuciscus (Fig. 47). 'This sportive little 
fish is, like its relative last described, of social habits, 
moving about in shoals. When a couple of inches long 
and about the size of a Sprat, the Kingfisher seeks them 
out, and many of the company are commandeered by 
this handsome British bird. ‘The Dace is a narrow fish, 
with fairly large silvery scales, and dark along the back. 
A half-pound fish is quite a good weight, and although it 
grows heavier than this, it rarely attains the weight and 
dimensions of a specimen now in Letchworth Museum 
which is 14 inches in length, and weighs 1 pound8 ounces. 
It was caught in the River Ivel, near Baldock, and is, 
I believe, one of ihe largest specimens ever taken in this 
country. It inhabits our rivers, streams, lakes, and 
ponds, but does not occur in Scotland or Ireland. It 
loves to congregate in shallow water, and it is an engaging 
sight to watch a number of them at play, their active 
habits and silver bodies lending attraction to the sylvan 
surroundings. This is a bold biting fish, and affords 
capital sport. It is fond of small red worms and maggots, 
and is often caught with the fly. Its natural food is made 
up of insects, shrimps, and worms. It seeks deep pools 
in Winter. The active disposition of this gay little 
water-sprite has given it the name Dace, as this word 
is acquired from an old English word Darse, or Dart. 
It has an amazing turn of speed, and can dart through 
the water against the stream with ease and facility. 
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