THE PERCH. 131 



is sometimes taken from the pond to market in the 

 morning, and, if not sold, brought back and replaced 

 in the water at night. They go in shoals, and are 

 very abundant in this country, for most rivers and 

 clear pieces of water contain them. The Perch 

 prefers a rapid stream of clear water, but still it is often 

 to be found in ponds and canals, which are less 

 wholesome and enjoyable to it. " Mr. Jesse said 

 some years ago that great numbers of Perch were 

 bred in the Hampton Court and Bushey Park ponds, 

 which are well supplied with clear water, but they 

 seldom grow large." 



In the Regent's Canal they are said to be very abun- 

 dant. The full-grown Perch of this canal is said seldom 

 to weigh more than from half to three-quarters of a 

 pound, and that those taken have a surprising uni- 

 formity in size and weight. Izaak Walton advised the 

 angler to commence fishing for Perch when the mul- 

 berry is putting forth its buds. He describes it as a 

 bold-biting fish, not deterred from coming to the 

 enemy by the loss of many of its companions. 



There are four species of the genus Coitus, but 

 only one is a fresh-water fish. 



The River Bullhead (C. gobio\ vulgarly called the 

 Miller's Thumb, is about 4 inches long. It hides itself 

 among loose stones, but it is a quick and active little 

 fish ; it is very common in almost every stream. It 

 is also called " Tom Cull " in some localities. The 

 head is very broad and the mouth large. Of the 

 genus Gasteroteus is the three-spined stickle-back, 

 Banstickle, or Sharplin (G. spinufosus) ', it is 2 or 3 

 inches long. This fish has a curious habit of building 

 K 2 



