FISHES OF THE CONNECTICUT LAKES. 31 
Mountains except the South Atlantic States and Texas. In First 
Connecticut Lake it does not seem to be abundant. It is more numer- 
ous in Second Lake, where it is said to have been introduced; but 
the latter statement is unauthentic. There is no evident reason why 
it should not be indigenous to all these waters, yet it was not secured 
in Third Lake. It was found in First and Second lakes and in 
Indian Stream. 
The redfin attains a length of 8 inches; the largest obtained here, 
however, was only 4.87 inches long. It is almost everywhere an 
abundant species in ponds, lakes, and streams. It is carnivorous, sub- 
sisting upon small aquatic animals, insects, etc., like other members 
of the family, and is not averse to small fishes. In lakes and ponds 
the redfin lurks around water plants, where its food is most abundant, 
but on calm evenings it moves about in schools at the surface far from 
shore, over deep water, feeding upon insects that have fallen upon the 
water. 
Its breeding time is in the spring or early summer, according to the 
temperature of the water. At this time the male assumes a beautiful 
coloration, the fins broadly margined with bright red, the back an 
iridescent blue, and the side reflecting all the hues of the rainbow. <A 
more beautiful minnow can scarcely be conceived. The head of the 
male at this time bears conical horny tubercles or excrescences, whence 
the names “ hornyhead ” and “ buckfish.” The use of these horns has 
not been satisfactorily explained. The spawning process is interest- 
ing. A small school assembles on a fine gravelly shoal where the 
water runs swiftly but smoothly just above a riffle. A hollow is 
formed in the gravel, where the eggs are deposited and fertilized by 
the male or males in attendance. In the one instance observed there 
was only one male present. 
The redfin will readily take a hook, especially if baited with earth- 
worm. It is also frequently caught on small artificial flies, especially 
when the fish is feeding upon insects at the surface. 
This fish is one of the best live baits, its silvery appearance making 
it very attractive, and for this reason it is often used to reenforce 
spinners and spoons, as well as for live bait in still-fishing and in 
casting. : 
The best methods of catching the redfin are by minnow traps or 
with small seine on the shores at the mouths of brooks, particularly 
where water plants are present. 
8. Lonenose Dace. Rhinichthys cataracte (Cuvier and Valenciennes). 
Head 4.22; depth 4.22 in length without caudal; eye 6.28 in head; snout 
2.44; dorsal 8; anal 7; scales 13-59-12. 
Head low and broad; interorbital convex, 3.14 in head; snout horizontally 
bluntly rounded, vertically, or in profile, rather sharp, projecting much be- 
yond small, inferior horizontal mouth; lips thick; eye small, about midway 
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