466 Roosczrlt Wild Life .lumils 



occasionally taken in rivers nnd lowland lakes. Greeley ('27, p. 64) from his 

 extensive survey of the Genesee stream system in New York State, notes that it 

 shows a preference for the smaller streams there. Shelford ('13, p. 95) notes it 

 as a darter that is especially likely to be found among and under stones, or in 

 algae which cover the rocks. Meek ("88, p. 314) states that it frequents shallow 

 running water, especially if it is clear and the bottom of the stream is rocky. 

 Jordan and Copeland ('96, p. 31 ) say of its habitat and its relation to it : "It carries 

 no flag, but is colored like the rocks, among which it lives. The Fantail Darter 

 chooses the coldest and swiftest waters." 



Food. Forbes and Richardson ('09, p. 314) give the results of the examina- 

 tion of six specimens which had eaten Chironomus larvae, May-fly nymphs and 

 copepods. Jordan and Copeland ('96, p. 30) write: "Hardiest, wiriest, wariest of 

 them all, it is the one most expert in catching other creatures, and the one which 

 most surely evades your clutch, he leads an active predatory life. He is a terror 

 to water snails and caddice worms, and the larvae of mosquitoes." Turner ('21, 

 p. 51) records the food of 68 specimens. May-fly nymphs predominated; the 

 rest of the food was midge larvae, amphipods, and beetle larvae. He found that 

 the fish from Lake Erie and Ohio streams agreed closely as to the nature of their 

 food, but the stream fish lacked amphipods. The stomach contents of one fish 

 about 2j^ inches long, as found by Greeley {'2j, p. 65), were three small midge 

 (Chironomidae) larvae. 



Distribution Records. No. 142, Frederick Creek, September 8, 1915, four 

 fish, average 2^ inches; No. 456, West Potter Bay, June 27, 1917, one fish, 

 i^ inches. 



Economic Relations. This fish undoubtedly has the same bait-value as other 

 small darters, namely, that it is useful in the absence of anything better (Ever- 

 mann. '01, p. 350). Bean ('03, p. 520) says that it is very active and tenacious 

 of life and is an excellent species for the aquarium. 



References. Abbott, '01; Bean, "03; Evermann, '01; Forbes. '80b: Forlies 

 and Ixicliardsim, '09: Greeley. '27; Fowler, '06. '11; Jordan and Copeland, '9(1 ; 

 J.inl.in ami I'.vcrmann, '96; Meek, '88; Nash, '08: Shelford, '13: Turner. '21; 

 "Wri-lit .■iiKJ Allen. '13. 



Micropterus dolomieu Laceioedo. SM.\i.i.-MnuTHi:n Bl.\ck P.ass. I'.oth 

 species of black bass thrive in Oneida Lake, notwithstanding the excessive fishing 

 for them there. The extensive shallow waters furnish an extensive breeding 

 ground for the species, while food in the form of small fish and crawfish is 

 abundant. Along the shore may be found, associated with minnows and other 

 small fishes, the young of Small-mouthed Black Bass. No doubt with proper 

 regulation of fishing Oneida Lake would soon harbor large numbers of black bass. 

 and good catches made in the proper way at the proper times would be the usual 

 results. Conditions (except overfishing) seem to be especially favorable for this 

 bass in Oneida Lake, and every elTort should lie made to maintain this highlv 

 desirable species. 



Breedi)ui llahils and Life I/i.slory. Like other centrarchids this siiccics is a 

 nc.t builder. TIk- male cleans botUmi areas with sweeps of his tail. He brings 



