BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES 



The food consists of other fishes — a minnow is a splendid 

 lure for a big Perch — as well as insects in various stages, 

 molluscs, and worms. The favourite feeding-time in 

 Summer is morning and evening, and it is interesting to 

 notice how a shoal that has been under irritating observa- 

 tion all day suddenly comes on the feed. Spawning takes 

 place in shallow water where there is a clean bed. The 

 eggs are not shed singly, but the whole appear in the form 

 of a band which the female cleverly contrives to attach to 

 a weed or other object. The eggs hatch with comparative 

 quickness, but it takes at least three years before the 

 fish is advanced enough to propagate its species. Pos- 

 sessed of great tenacity, I have frequently noticed the 

 length of time this fish will live out of water, and its 

 boldness is such that many authentic stories might be 

 told. The name is derived from the Latin Perca, a 

 word of Greek origin which, literally translated, may be 

 associated with the markings on the body. 



Ruffe. — Acerina cernua (Fig. 6i). Also known as the 

 Pope. Haunts canals, lakes, and other sluggish waters. 

 I have found it very plentiful in various parts of the 

 Grand Junction, or Bridgewater Canal, in Hertfordshire. 

 It is of restricted distribution, and does not occur in 

 either Scotland or Ireland. Very similar to the Perch, 

 except that it is more greenish in colour, with markings of 

 black or brown ; has a smaller mouth ; does not attain 

 nearly such a large size, and the dorsal fins are practically 

 joined together along the back. It moves about in shoals, 



and prefers deep water. Of inactive disposition, the 

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