FISHES OF VERMONT. f)85 



"Charlevoix tells us that lie preys not only upon other fishes, but upon birds also, and 

 tbat ho takes them by the followiug stratagem : Concealiug bimself among tbo reeds 

 growing on the marshy borders of the lake, be thrusts bis bill out of the water in an 

 upright position. Tbe bird, wanting tbo rest, takes this for a broken limb or dry 

 reed, and perches upon it. Tbe iisb then opens his mouth and makes sucb a 

 sudden spring tbat the bird seldom escapes him. Charlevoix also assures us that 

 tbo Indians regarded tbe teeth of this fish as a sovereign remedy for the headache, and 

 that pricking with it whore the pain was sharpest took it away instantly. The 

 scabs with which this fish is covered are so thick and strong as to form a coat of 

 mail which is not easily pierced with a spear. They are taken only occasionally in the 

 seine at the present day, but are said to be sometimes seen in considerable numbers 

 lying in the marshy coves. Its flesh is rank and tough and is not used for food. 

 The usual length of those now taken is from 21 to 3 feet, though they are often 

 much longer. Tbo specimen from which the preceding figure and description were 

 made was taken at the mouth of Winooski River May 11, 1841. One of the largest 

 specimens which I have seen was taken at the same place June 16, 1838, and is now 

 in my possession. It is 46 inches long, and wheu caught weighed 01 pounds. This 

 species is found in the great western lakes and in the Ohio River, where this and 

 several other species are known by the name of gar fishes.'' 



This gar is still common in Lake Champlain. We obtained no specimens on the 

 Vermont side of the lake, but secured some on the New York side near Rouses Point. 



Family AMIIDiE. The Bowfms. 



5. Amia calva Linnseus. Mudfish; Bowfin. 



Recorded by Thompson from the month of Otter Creek and from Lake Champlain 

 at "Whitehall. He says : 



"This fish abounds upon the muddy bottoms and the marshy coves of the southern 

 part of Lake Champlain. It is very plentiful in tbe vicinity of "Whitehall and also 

 about the month of Otter Creek. From its partiality to muddy bottoms, it has 

 acquired in many places the name of mudfish. From its resemblance in form to the 

 ling, it is called in some places the scaled liny. Rut its more common appellation in 

 Vermont is that of bowfin. It attains to considerable size, frequently exceeding 2 feet 

 in length and weighing 10 or 12 pounds; but its flesh is soft and ill-flavored — very 

 little esteemed as an article of food." 



Family SILURIDiE. The Catfishes. 



6. Ameiurus lacustris (Walbaum). Great Lairs Catfish. 



This catfish, so common in the Great Lakes region, has apparently never been 

 common in Vermont waters. Thompson speaks of it as being occasionally taken in 

 tbe vicinity of Burlington, but in other parts of the lake it is reputed quite plentiful. 

 He says it is a very good food-fish. 



Among a line lot of fresh specimens received by the Commission April 25, 1896, 

 from Mr. A. L. Collins, Swanton, Vt., at the instance of Mr. John W. Titconib, is 

 one large example of this species. It, like all the specimens sent by Mr. Collius, 

 came from Missisquoi Hay. It is a female with the ovaries but little developed. 

 The stomach and iutestines contained no food that could be identified. Total length 

 of this specimen, 25 inches; weight, 7^ pounds. Called "catfish " by Mr. Collins. 



7. Ameiurus vulgaris (Thompson). "Bullpout." 



. This species was originally described from Lake Champlain. Thompson reported 

 it quite plentiful in Lake Champlain, where it is generally known as bullpout. He 

 says those taken from tbo lake are usually from i) to 13 inches in length. 



8. Ameiurus nebulosus (LeSueur). "Horned Pout"; "Bullpout"; Bullhead. 

 According to Thompson, common in Connecticut River and in many of its larger 



tributaries. It is undoubtedly an abundant species throughout the State. In 

 Shelburu Pond it is said to be exceedingly abundant. In Lake Champlain the 



