' INVESTIGATIONS IN MINNESOTA AND NORTH DAKOTA. 369 
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erel is seldom seen, and the question naturally arises, What has become 
of the fish? If the fish had been attacked by any disease that would 
materially reduce the numbers dead fish would have been seen along 
the shores and in the water, but none has ever been reported. It is 
well known that the water of this lake is quite brackish, and it has 
been thought that the rapid evaporation of the water had so increased 
the percentage of mineral matter as to make it detrimental to fish 
life. The stickleback (Hucalia inconstans), however, not only lives, but 
increases in a manner quite marvelous. Almost every haul of the seine 
would land hundreds of these small fish, the greater number of which 
were very large and almost jet-black in color. In the long grass and 
shore waters larvee and small crustaceans were very rare. It may be 
that this stickleback, which eats the eggs of other species, has by this 
habit brought about the great depletion of fish in these waters. 
ANNOTATED LIST OF FISHES OF THE RED RIVER OF THE NORTH AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES. 
1. Ammoccetes branchialis (Linneus). Mud Lamprey; Brook Lamprey. Cheyenne 
River at Lisbon, 3 specimens; Red Lake River at Grand Forks, 2; Red 
Lake River at Crookston, 1. Although few of these parasites were taken, 
a sufficient number of marks were found on fish to indicate that they were 
numerous. Species of Catostomus and Moxostoma appear to suffer most from 
this animal; and, contrary to popular belief, it is seldom taken in sluggish 
waters, but in clear, swift streams. In the Cheyenne River a lamprey and 
its host were taken, the latter bearing marking that would indicate that it 
had been the victim of several of these creatures. 
2..Lepisosteus osseus (Linneus). Gar Pike. Otter Tail River at Breckenridge, 
1large specimen. Reported abundant in certain deep places in the river. 
3. Ameiurus nebulosus (LeSueur). Bullhead; Catfish. Otter Tail River at Breck- 
enridge, 3 specimens; Red River of the North at Moorhead, rare; Cheyenne 
River at Lisbon, 5; Cheyenne River at Valley City, 4; Maple River at 
Mapleton, abundant; Buffalo River at Hawley, common; Goose River 
at Hillsboro, common; Forest River at Minto, 4. This species was reported 
abundant at almost every place where inquiry was made, especially at 
stations on the Red River of the North, though comparatively few specimens 
were observed in the quiet waters and lagoons above the dam in Buffalo 
River at Hawley. A large specimen weighing about 15 pounds was taken 
from the Otter Tail River at Breckenridge. 
‘4. Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque). Cheyenne River at Valley City, 4 specimens; 
Maple River at Mapleton, common; Goose River at Hillsboro, 12. The last- 
named station was the only locality where this species was common. From 
this stream 12 adults anid a large number of young were taken. 
(5. Noturus gyrinus (Mitchill). Maple River at Mapleton, 3 specimens; Cheyenne 
River at Valley City, 10; Goose River at Hillsboro, 55; Red River of the 
North at Grand Forks, 4. These specimens were nearly all small; those 
from Goose River averaged 2* inches in length. 
(6. Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque). Blue Cat; Channel Cat. Otter Tail River at 
Breckenridge, 1 specimen; Red River of the North at ‘icorhead, common; 
Red River of the'North at Grand Forks, 4; Red Lake River at Grand Forks, 
common; Red Lake River at Crookston, 5. 
‘7. Catostomus teres (Mitchill). Black Su:ker; Common Sucker; Fine-scaled Sucker. 
Cheyenne River at Lisbon, abundant; Cheyenne River at Valley City, 
E.R. 93 24 
