NOTES RELATIVE TO THE WHITE-FISH. 81 



The white-fish spawu, both in Lakes Erie aud Ontario, on the reefs 

 and rocks, during the month of Xovember. The eggs dropping into the 

 crevices of the rocks are protected from suckers, a fish always on the 

 alert at this season of the year to devour the eggs. 



The two specimens sent herewith, you will please tind by examination 

 differ from each other in many respects. This you will be able to find 

 out to be the case only by close study and observation. The Lake 

 Ontario fish you will find to be a finer and superior fish than the Lake 

 Erie white-fish, both in delicious delicacy of flavor and taste, and the 

 whiteness and richness of the flesh. Still as regards the food for this 

 fish, in both lakes,! have in every instance and on all occasions found it 

 the same. The fish live by suction. 



There is an observable difference in the shape of the white-fish of 

 Lake Ontario as compared with the shape of the white-fish of Lake 

 Erie. 



Thus you will iflease find that the Lake Ontario white-fish are rounder 

 and broader on the back, while the Lake Erie white-fish are flatter and 

 sharper on the back. You can also find out other little differences by 

 actual measurements of the fish, aud this at the different parts of them ; 

 and which I have been able, bj* strict accuracy and study, to set at rest. 



I have i^acked the eight white-fish I now send you in cut straw in a 

 small box, whi(;h I understand will preserve them suttieiently for your 

 purpose until they reach you at Washington; and I shall feel greatly hon- 

 ored if your learned views aud researches will hereafter in any manner 

 correspond with my Imrable assertions regarding this delicious fish. 

 I have tlie Iionor to Ijc, sir, your obedient servant, 



JOHX W. KERK, 

 Fishcrt/ Overseer. Hamilton District. 



Professor Spencer F. Baird, 



United States Fishery Conunissioner, Witshinffton. IK (_'. 



Wolfe Island, Decemher 4, 1S72. 

 Sir : In obedience to instructions from the minister of marine aud 

 fisheries, I have the honor to send jou, by this day's express, some speci- 

 mens of oiu' white-fish, taken in Lake Ontario, and I have been further 

 instructed to accompany them by such remarks on their habits aud varie- 

 ties as 1 might think of interest. I woidd therefore beg to state, from 

 having long experience as a fisherman, that the white-fish which are 

 found in the Canadian lakes are social in their habits, moving about in 

 shoals or great numbers. Three species may be enumerated, quite dis- 

 tinct from each other. The first has a very small head aud a rounded 

 back, and is known as the " Bow-back.'' This is considered the best 

 species for food. The second lias also a very small head, aud a dark, 

 round body, something resembling that of a sucker. The members of 

 S. :\Iis. 74 



