500 Roosczrit ll'ild Life .Inrnih 



Page ('oo, p. 152) says that in its native waters, the Ruck Bass is found ni 

 winter months under the ice, yet that it stands a high summer temperature, and 

 that it is sometimes found in muddy bayous and in waters stained by decaying 

 vegetation : but it thrives better in clear, pure waters well stocked with ac[uatic 

 plants. 



Food. Baker ('16, p. 182) examined the stomach contents of five Rock Bass 

 from Oneida Lake and found remains of crawfish, amphipods ( Hyalclla), Odonata 

 nymphs, bryozoans (Pluiiiatella), algae and other plant material. Hankinson ('08, 

 p. 210) reports food of nineteen individuals from Walnut Lake, as consisting of 

 crawfish, dragon-fly nymphs, Chironoiinis larvae, jMay-fly nymphs, and, in a single 

 specimen, a small fish. Crawfish (Caiiibants) were fuund in ten specirnens, and 

 it was apparent that this constituted the most important food of Rock Bass in 

 \\'alnut Lake. The species is piscivorous to some extent in the Oneida Lake 

 region, for we found a Pcrcbia caprodcs zebra in a Rock Bass (Xo. 414) that had 

 been taken by hook from Douglas Creek. 



Bean ('03, p. 469) states that the species feeds upon worms, crustaceans, and 

 larvae of insects, early in the season ; later its food consists of minnows and craw- 

 fish. The young feed on insects and their larvae. Bensley ('15, p. 39) states that 

 "The food of the rock bass consists of minnows, crawfish, and insects ; the chief 

 food depending on whether the fish is small and inhabiting swampy areas, or large 

 and inhabiting more open shoaly places. During the period when May-flies are 

 abundant, the smaller fish feed largely upon them, leaving their shelters after 

 nightfall, and sucking the flies from the surface of the water." Forbes ('So, p. 47) 

 found that four adults taken at Ottawa, Illinois, in July, had eaten some minute 

 fish which constituted is^f of the food; also water beetles. Neuroptera larvae 

 (over 40%), small crawfishes (about 30% of the food), ephemerids, Odonata and 

 other water insects. Two stomachs contained some plant material (Potamogeton) 

 which may have been taken accidentally. Three young Rock Bass under an inch 

 in length were found to contain Cladocera, Cyclops, Chironouiiis, and Neuroptera 

 larvae. Two spccinims three to four inches long contained 83% Corixa. Pearse 

 ('15, p. 14). in five Rock Bass from about one and one-half to four inches long, 

 found the food to be nearly three-fourths insects, including Corixa. Cliironoiiiiis 

 larvae, ]\lay-fl\- nymphs and wasps. Other organisms included were Amphipods 

 ( flyalella ] . entomostracans, mites, and plants, including some filamentous algae. 

 Reighard ('15. p. 231) in five of ten Rock Bass examined found fish remains, 

 crawfish (Cauibarus virili.K). and dragon-fly nyiu])hs. fine of the fishes eaten was 

 a sunfish. Marshall ami Cillx-rt ('03, p. 51S), in 13 of 16 Rock Bass caught in 

 May and June in Lake Mendoia. W iscousin. found inject larvae in two and craw- 

 fish in twelve. Nash ('08, p. 83) says: "It emerges toward iiigliif;ill and m.-mis 

 about in search of insects, crustaceans, and small fish which form it^ food." Wilson 

 ( '20. |jp. 226. 22") mentions Odonata as Rock Bass food. 



Evermann and Clark 1 'jo, ]ip. 296, 389) examini-d two hundred and sixty 

 specimens of this fish from otie to eleven inches long. The >ntaller siiecimeiis, 

 under four inches, had been feeding on plankton, chielly /''(•.■iiiiiiia. Ihiplniia ;ind 

 Cyclops, a few insect larvae, and sni.-ill lish. inclndiiig ."^'eliilheode.-; i/yriniis. 

 Poecilieltthy.'; exilis. I.abideslhr.s- sicnilits :\\u] Ao/ro/'M' u'/;//^/'/;7. The larger speci- 



