BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES 



by the commander of whatever expedition is under- 

 taken. Minnows appear to have constituted a favourite 

 dish in days gone by, and the name is given in ancient 

 writings as Menoun, Minoe, and other renderings. 



Rudd. — Scardinius erythrophthalmus (Fig. 50). It is 

 hoped that the unwieldy scientific name of this really 

 beautiful flat-bodied fish will not deter the young 

 icthyologist from learning all he can about it. Curious 

 it should have such a short and simple EngUsh name, and 

 yet a long and difficult Latin onym. It may be dis- 

 tinguished from the Roach by being a beautiful bronze 

 or golden colour on the sides, and when taken fresh from 

 the water bright-coloured specimens are very lovely to 

 behold. A Rudd weighing 3 pounds is a good fish, and 

 I have seen members of my family catch a large number of 

 specimens even heavier than this, baiting with dry bread 

 and allowing same to travel on the water, no float being 

 used. It frequents lakes and rivers, and delights in 

 dwelling where water-lily beds abound. It also disports 

 itself in shallow water, especially where one sheet over- 

 flows into another. The bait is often seized as soon as it 

 touches the water, there is a short struggle, but the 

 prize is soon secured. A good ripple on the water is an 

 incentive to fish for Rudd, and as it is a voracious feeder, 

 when once its favourite haunt is discovered good sport 

 may be expected. My father and self, fishing in the 

 River Lea, near Luton, in 1900, landed 120 Roach and 

 Rudd between us from one restricted " swim " in the 



course of two or three hours. But even this compares 

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