352 Ronsrzrit ]Vild Life Annals 



Everniann, '96, p. 293). Hulibs (22) has made the most important contributions 

 to the Hfe history of Notropis athcrinoidcs that we have seen, but his findings 

 were largely on the growth of the species and the variation of the number of 

 vertebrae. His studies were based on examination of many hundreds of fish 

 collected at Jackson Park lagoon, Chicago. Fish of the year taken in December 

 ranged from about i to 3^/2 inches in lengtli, I '4 inches being about the average 

 length. Fish in their second year, ranged fr(jm about 2% to 33-2 inches, with an 

 average near three inches. 



Habitat. It was very evident that in Oneida Lake this species prefers open 

 waters and avoids thickets of water plants, for few if any were taken where such 

 were present. At Sylvan Beach, on July 6, 1916, Emerald Minnows were abundant 

 in open water, over sandy bottom near shore, where they appeared to be the only 

 species jjresent. wliile other fishes were numerous about the vegetation covered 

 areas in the same locaHty. They a]:ipearefl cimimnn in Douglas Creek where fifty 

 specimens (Xo. 413) were caught in slialldw, ra|iid. turliid water with pebble and 

 sand bottom. 



Jordan and Evermann ('96, p. 293) say that it is abundant in lakes, quiet 

 waters and river channels. Forbes and Richardson ('09, p. 152) find it preferring 

 larger rivers and lakes, a good current and clear bottom. Bean ('03, p. 148) 

 states that it is abundant in lakes and in the rapids of rivers, and ('07, p. 193) 

 mentions it ascending Scriba Creek and Frederick Creek at Constantia, in spring 

 and fall, in great schools, perhaps to spawn or to feed on Pike Perch eggs, or 

 to seek more open water than the lake aflrords. He says the species is very hardy 

 in cold water but does not endure warm water in summer. 



Food. Forlies and Richardson ('09, p. 153) and Forbes ('83. p. 130) say 

 that this species moves and feeds in large schools, thousands being frequently 

 seen together near the surface. The food of- eighteen specimens from northern 

 Illinois consisted principally of insects, nearly two-thirds of which were terrestrial 

 species, and the remainder chiefly case-worms and nymphs of ephemerids. Three 

 had eaten only Entomostraca ; one contained filamentous algae, and another a 

 minute fish. Clemens ('24, p. 112) re])orts on the food of eleven of these minnows 

 in which aquatic insects and Chironomidae formed a prominent part of the food. 

 Terrestrial insects were abundantly represented, while entomostracans, arachnids 

 and oligochaete worms had also been eaten. Three had fed extensivly on fish 

 eggs. Greeley ('27, p. 60) found insect remains and an adult midge (Chirono- 

 midae) in a small Emerald Minnow from the Genesee River. 



Distribution Records. Lake collections from shallow water made in summer 

 and containing ten or more examples of this species are as follows : No. jy. 

 Bullhead Bay: No. 441, Taft Bay; No. 463, East Potter Bay; No. 470, Bay east of 

 Cleveland ; No. 550, Godfrey Point. Collection No. 470 was a very large one made 

 June 28, 19 1 7, from a large compact school of these minnows in two to three feet 

 of water, over rock and sand bottom some fifty feet from shore, near Cleveland. 

 Another large collection (No. 4271, Fig. 36) was made at Sylvan Beach, September 

 g, 1927. Smaller summer collections from the lake are: No. 406, Leete Island; 

 Nos. 428. 430. Dakin Bay; No. 448, Taft Bay: No. 501, Bay near Lewis Point; 

 Xo. 507. l'pi)er South P.ay ; No. 521), Dunham Island. 



