BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES 
by the commander of whatever expedition is under- 
taken. Minnows appear to have constituted a favourite 
dish in days gone by, and the name is given in ancient 
writings as Menoun, Minoe, and other renderings. 
Rudd.—Scardinius erythrophthalmus (Fig. 50). It is 
hoped that the unwieldy scientific name of this really 
beautiful flat-bodied fish will not deter the young 
icthyologist from learning all he can about it. Curious 
it should have such a short and simple English name, and 
yet a long and difficult Latin onym. It may be dis- 
tinguished from the Roach by being a beautiful bronze 
or golden colour on the sides, and when taken fresh from 
the water bright-coloured specimens are very lovely to 
behold. A Rudd weighing 3 pounds is a good fish, and 
I have seen members of my family catch a large number of 
specimens even heavier than this, baiting with dry bread 
and allowing same to travel on the water, no float being 
used. It frequents lakes and rivers, and delights in 
dwelling where water-lily beds abound. It also disports 
itself in shallow water, especially where one sheet over- 
flows into another. The bait is often seized as soon as it 
touches the water, there is a short struggle, but the 
prize is soon secured. A good ripple on the water is an 
incentive to fish for Rudd, and as it is a voracious feeder, 
when once its favourite haunt is discovered good sport 
may be expected. My father and self, fishing in the 
River Lea, near Luton, in 1g00, landed 120 Roach and 
Rudd between us from one restricted ‘‘ swim” in the 
course of two or three hours. But even this compares 
94 
