368 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



sal fin posterior in position; caudal rounded. Color, dark olive- 

 green, mottled with darker and coppery or brassy blotches, and 

 with about 12 irregular dark crossbars; a dark postocular spot 

 and a large dark blotch on opercle ; a broad dark band in front of 

 eye; a broad black vertical bar on caudal peduncle at base of tail, 

 and a narrow dark band on base of caudal rays ; caudal beautifully 

 marked with fine crossbars ; under parts paler, sometimes rosy 

 coppery. Length 3 to 5 inches. 



Almost all of the specimens obtained at Lake Maxinkuckee 

 were considerably undersized, ranging in length from 1| to 3.55 

 inches, only 12 in the 84 individuals examined being 3 inches or 

 over in length. The numbers representing the proportions are 

 smaller throughout, the head being usually 3^ in length; depth 

 ranging from 4^ to 5, usually about 4^; eye 3| to 5i, frequently 

 4 ; snout 3-i to 5, usually a little over 4 ; it will thus be observed that 

 the Maxinkuckee specimens have a somewhat larger head, greater 

 depth, larger eye and longer snout than is given in current de- 

 scriptions. 



35. GEASS PIKE 



ESOX VERMICULATUS Le Sueur 



(Plate 5) 



The Grass Pike occurs abundantly throughout the middle and 

 upper Mississippi Valley and in streams tributary to Lakes Erie 

 and Michigan. It is not known from east of the Alleghenies nor 

 from Texas. Throughout most of its range it is generally com- 

 mon in all ponds, bayous and small sluggish streams in which there 

 is much aquatic vegetation. 



At Lake Maxinkuckee only 86 specimens were secured during 

 the seining operations, and the greatest number taken in one haul 

 was 17. It is, however, quite a common fish, and it is probable 

 that the alacrity with which this fish gets out of the way at the 

 first sign of danger accounts for the small number taken. It is 

 frequently found basking near shore in shallow weedy places. In 

 late autumn they bask in considerable numbers in the neighbor- 

 hood of the Outlet. During the latter part of October and the 

 first part of November, 1904, considerable numbers of these fishes 

 were seen close to the Outlet. On October 28, about 10 were seen, 

 and two days after about 40 or 50 were seen at the same place at 

 noon. They were also seen in late autumn on various occasions 

 basking in the region of the Inlet and along the bayous of the Out- 

 let. When basking they usually lie perfectly still, and look so 

 much like a stick that they are not seen until an arrowy streak 



