74 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 
This is a very common fish in Lake Erie, and is called at Buffalo, Sheepshead. Unlike 
the Sheepshead of the ocean (Sargus ovis), it isa poor, dry and tasteless fish, and is scarcely 
ever eaten. It also occurs in Lake Ontario. It does not appear to have been seen by Rich- 
ardson in the upper lakes. It feeds on many of the fresh-water shells, such as Cyclas, Palu- 
dina, &c. Its air-bladder is very large and simple. 
THE SILVERY CORVINA. 
CoRVINA ARGYROLEUCA. 
PLATE XVIII. FIG.51. 
Silvery Perch, Bodianus argyroleucos. Muitcn. Lit, and Phil. Vol. 1, p. 417, pl. 6, fig. 9. 
Le Corb blanc d'argent. Cuv. et Vau. Hist. des Poiss. Vol. 5, p. 105. 
Characteristics. The four first spmous rays of the dorsal fin successively longer. Scales 
white and silvery. Ventral and anal orange-yellow. Length eight inches. 
Description. Body compressed ; back arched; facial outline sloping. Snout somewhat 
produced. Scales moderately large, rough on their margins. Lateral line concurrent with 
the back. Eyes large. Mouth deeply cleft. Teeth very minute, disposed in a narrow band. 
Preopercle with two small spines, or, as they may be termed, strong distant teeth, the lower 
directed downwards ; the remainder of the margin with small serratures. Opercle ending in 
two flat obtuse points. Lower jaw with four minute pores. 
Dorsal fin compound, deeply emarginate ; the first portion is spinous, with eleven spines, 
of which the first is very short, the fourth longest ; the posterior portion with two short spines 
and twenty-two soft rays, of which the anterior from the fourth are longest. Pectoral fins 
moderate. Ventral fins beneath and slightly behind the pectorals, with a sharp spinous ray. 
Anal fin short, higher than long, with two stout spinous rays. Caudal fin nearly even, slightly 
rounded. 
Color. Silvery white on the body and side ; dead white or opake beneath. Irides yellowish 
white. Second dorsal, pectorals and caudal fin, yellowish. Ventrals and anal orange-yellow. 
Length, 8:0. Depth, 3:0. 
Bin rays, Dol 2.22) Pltis We lebe cA 2.95 °C. 17. 
This fish has so much the port and habit of a perch, that it is frequently called Silvery 
Perch by the fishermen. It is not uncommon in our waters, in the summer season. It is a 
native of the Caribbean sea, and extends its northern range to the coast of New-York. 
