THE RUDD. 67 



numbers with the fly, but mostly with bait, of which the best 

 was said to be a grasshopper. 



The Rudd, or Red-eye (Sarf, Sw. ; C. erythrophthalmus, 

 Linn.), was common with us, and in Scandinavia generally, 

 as high up at least as the Calix River, which empties itself 

 into the Gulf of Bothnia; but its limits to the northward 

 do not appear to be very well ascertained. It also inhabits 

 the eastern Skargard. 



Tn England one of the names of this fish is derived from 

 the colour of its eyes ; but in parts of Scandinavia they call 

 it the red-fin, as also the red-roach, in consequence of the 

 redness of its fins. But it is only the old males that exhibit 

 great brilliancy of colour. In fact, it is not until the young 

 have attained to the age of a year that their fins are even 

 tipped with red, and it is three years before they in all 

 respects resemble their parents. 



The rudd, as has been observed, much resembles in appear- 

 ance the so-called sjo-ruda ; but it is readily distinguished 

 from that fish by the deeper red of its fins, by being thicker, 

 and from having larger scales. 



The favourite resorts of the rudd are turbid waters. In 

 spring and summer it frequents grassy shallows, but on the 

 approach of winter it retires to the deeps. It is an inac- 

 tive fish, and often remains for a long while in the same 

 spot. Except during very warm and clear summer days, 

 it seldom comes to the surface, but for the most part remains 

 near the bottom, embedded as it were in grass and mud. 

 Though readily alarmed, it does not retire far, but quickly 

 hides itself amongst weeds, from which it is no easy matter 

 to dislodge it. It is social in its habits, and seldom found 

 alone, so that when separated from its congeners, it joins 



F 2 



