360 TROPICAL WILD LIFE IN BRITISH GUIANA 



Photo by P. G. H. 



FIG. 122. HEAD OF PERAI 



fresh, the perai swarm in countless hordes through many of 

 the inland reaches. They thrive in equal numbers, above or 

 below the rapids, though seldom in them, for they do not 

 love the swish and swirl of hurried water, but seek rather the 

 slower moving back currents and the long level stretches 

 between the falls. The deep canals of the Amazon Valley 

 and the quieter pools of swift running mountain streams a 

 thousand miles inland, thousands of feet above the level oJ 

 the sea, are as truly their home, as the inner fresh tide- 

 waters, only forty miles from the sea. And everywhere they 

 are a scourge both to men and beasts. 



During our stay at Kalacoon the question several times 

 arose as to whether the perai is a bottom fish or one that has 

 no particular preference for its field of action. Observation 

 shows the latter to be the case, though to catch them on a 

 baited hook, the best results are obtained by allowing the 

 bait to rest near the bottom. They may be seen at all times 

 of the day leaping and playing about the surface, either close 



