FISHES 



ing. From early in March until early in November 

 they are to be found near the shores of Lake Ontario, 

 but are at the height of their abundance during June 

 and July, and it is during these months that the 

 great mortality takes place, millions of dead fish 

 being cast up on the shore, and the surface of the 

 water being literally strewed with the dead and dying. 

 Where they go in the cold months of winter is uncer- 

 tain, probably only into 'the deep water of the lake, 

 though it is possible that they may work their way 

 down to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. They are eatable, 

 but being small and bony are not much appreciated. 



SALMONIDAE. (The Salmons.) 



24. Frost-fish. Round Whitefish. Coregonus 

 quadrilateralis (Richardson) Common in Lake On- 

 tario and highly esteemed as a food fish. It spawns 

 in October and November, visiting the shallow parts 

 of lakes and sandbars for that purpose. 



25. Common Whitefish. Coregonus clupeiformis 

 (Mitchill). Formerly very abundant in Lake On- 

 tario, but now scarce near Toronto. Although this 

 is one of the most valuable of our commercial fish, its 

 habits are not yet fully understood; undoubtedly 

 they vary much according to locality; the depth of 

 water, currents or their absence, and climatic con- 

 ditions all having some influence upon the movements 

 of the fish in search of food, and upon the time and 

 place of spawning. In Lake Ontario there is a move- 



(t of the Whitefish in early summer from the 

 259 



