602 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



between this species and the L. americana is so obvious that they are instantly dis- 

 tinguished, even when there is no difference in size; but while the latter species 

 often exceeds 2 feet in length, and weighs 5 or 6 pounds, the L. canadensis seldom, 

 if ever, exceeds 14 inches in length, or half a pound in weight. It is much less com. 

 mon in Lake Champlain than the L. americana, but is frequently taken in company 

 with it. It usually swims very near the bottom of the water, and hence it has 

 received the name of ground pike (pike perch). As an article of food this species is 

 held in the same high esteem as the common pike perch." 



Mr. Titcomb writes us that the sauger or rock pike, as it is locally called, is caught 

 in seines while fishing for the pike perch. It does not grow as large as the latter, and 

 is not much, valued as a food-hsh. It is usually sold as "cull fish" rather in the 

 barrels of clear pike perch. 



Two examples of the sauger or sand pike were received from Mr. Collins. One 

 was a nearly ripe female 14£ inches long, weighing three-fourths of a pound, the other 

 an unripe male 15 inches long, weighing three-fourths of a pound. These would 

 indicate an earlier spawning time than that for the wall-eyed pike. The stomach of 

 the male contained a 3-inch minnow, too badly digested for identification, and a 

 number of small insects. 



47. Perca flavescens (Mitchill). Yellow Perch; Hinged Perch. 

 Mr. Thompson says: 



"The yellow perch is one of the most common fishes found in Lake Champlain 

 and in the mouths of the rivers falling into this lake. They are taken both with 

 the seine and hook, but chiefly with the latter. In the winter they are caught by 

 cutting holes in the ice. They vary from 8 to 12 and even 14 inches in length, and 

 are carried around for sale from house to house in the villages along the lake, at all 

 seasons of the year, neatly scaled and dressed ready for cooking. In this condition 

 they are sold at from 10 to 20 cents a dozen, according to the season and their 

 abundance. The flesh of the perch is white, firm, and agreeable to the palate, but is 

 rather dry and bony. 



"This fish agrees throughout with Ur. Mitchill's description of his Bodlanus flaves- 

 cens, and is undoubtedly the species from which his description was drawn. Cuvier 

 having obtained specimens of this and another species which very closely resembles 

 it, from the waters of the United States, gave to this species the name of P. serrato- 

 granulata, on account of its serrated and granulated gill-covers; to the other, 

 distinguished from this by the want of granulations, by its smaller size and greater 

 number of brown bands upon its sides, he gave the name of P. flavescens." 



The yellow perch is one of the most common fishes of the State and is said to be 

 particularly abundant in Missisquoi Bay. Specimens were obtained by us in Clyde 

 River, near Newport, and from Missisquoi Bay. 



Three specimens were received April 25 from Missisquoi Bay. They were 9^ to 10 

 inches in length and weighed about 7 ounces each. Two were fully ripe females, the 

 other a nearly ripe male. 



48. Percina caprodes (Rafinesque). Log Perch; " Hogfish.'' 



This species, which is one of the largest of the darters, was found in abundance 

 in Missisquoi Bay; the eleven examples saved are all small, measuring from If to 3£ 

 inches in length. We obtained it at Rouses Point and Plattsburg on the west shore 

 of the lake, but did not find it elsewhere in Vermont, though it doubtless occurs 

 throughout the State. Concerning this species Mr. Thompson has the following: 



"This fish, though its vulgar name might be thought to imply the contrary, is 

 certainly one of the most symmetrical and beautiful fishes found in our waters. It 

 received the name of hogfish from a resemblance in the form of its snout and lower 

 jaw to those of that quadruped. It is quite common in the mouths of the streams 

 which fall into Lake Champlain, but being a slender fish and never exceeding 4 or 5 

 inches in length, no account is made of it as an article of food, and very little is 

 known of its habits. It swims low in the water, and when at rest usually lies at 

 the bottom." 



