5 38 BRITISH FRESHWATER FISHES 



below them. The coloration of the upper surface is 

 brownish or yellowish olive, spotted or marbled with 

 dark brown or black, some of the spots usually 

 uniting to form transverse bars ; the lower parts are 

 yellowish white and the dorsal, caudal, and pectoral 

 fins are barred with series of dark spots. 



The Bull-head is found all over Europe except the 

 Iberian Peninsula and Greece ; it extends into 

 Russian Turkestan, but is replaced by an allied 

 species in Siberia. In our islands it occurs in 

 England and Wales, but seems to be absent from 

 Scotland and Ireland. The example figured (PI. 

 XXXV, Fig. i) is shown of the natural size ; it was 

 sent to me by the late Dr. Bowdler Sharpe, who 

 caught it in the brook at the bottom of his garden 

 at Selborne. 



This little fish is usually not more than 3 or 4 

 inches long, and 6 inches is the maximum length 

 attained. It is common enough, preferring clear 

 brooks or shallow parts of lakes where the bottom 

 is sandy or gravelly. It lives a solitary life, and 

 lurks on the bottom or in concealment under stones, 

 waiting for the appearance of worms, insects, 

 shrimps, small fry, etc., whereon it feeds ; although 

 sluggish as a rule, and unable to swim for any 

 distance at a time, it dashes out with great rapidity 

 at its prey, and when disturbed shows a fine turn of 

 speed in gaining the nearest available shelter. It is 

 a gluttonous fish, and if the opportunity occurs of 

 seizing a prey of its own size, such as a Gudgeon or 

 a Minnow, it will not hesitate to do so and to 

 devour the victim at leisure. 



The Bull-heads spawn in March or April, when 

 they pair and select a shallow place in running 



