BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES 



to be tempted to sample the bait put before them. This 



they frequently do. 



Dace.— Leuciscus leuciscus (Fig. 47). This sportive little 



fish is, like its relative last described, of social habits, 



moving about in shoals. When a couple of inches long 



and about the size of a Sprat, the Kingfisher seeks them 



out, and many of the company are commandeered by 



this handsome British bird. The Dace is a narrow fish, 



with fairly large silvery scales, and dark along the back. 



A half-pound fish is quite a good weight, and although it 



grows heavier than this, it rarely attains the weight and 



dimensions of a specimen now in Letchworth Museum 



which is 14 inches in length, and weighs i pound 8 ounces. 



It was caught in the River Ivel, near Baldock, and is, 



I believe, one of the largest specimens ever taken in this 



country. It inhabits our rivers, streams, lakes, and 



ponds, but does not occur in Scotland or Ireland. It 



loves to congregate in shallow water, and it is an engaging 



sight to watch a number of them at play, their active 



habits and silver bodies lending attraction to the sylvan 



surroundings. This is a bold biting fish, and aff^ords 



capital sport. It is fond of small red worms and maggots, 



and is often caught with the fly. Its natural food is made 



up of insects, shrimps, and worms. It seeks deep pools 



in Winter. The active disposition of this gay little 



water-sprite has given it the name Dace, as this word 



is acquired from an old English word Darse, or Dart. 



It has an amazing turn of speed, and can dart through 



the . water against the stream with ease and facility. 

 90 ^ 



