PRETTY SPORT FOR LIGHT TACKLE. 471 



This fish differs in weight, like most other fishes, from its 

 food and its habitat. In lakes it is larger than in streams. 

 It is eminently a fresh-water fish, and not at all allied to the 

 sea-robin (Prinotiis lineatus). 



The chub-robin ascends the Neuse River about the last of 

 February, same time with the robin-red-breast thrush (Turdus 

 migratorius). The bird winters in the Eastern Carolinas, 

 and so does the chub-robin fish ; both red-breasted, and ap- 

 pearing at same time of year, there was thought a resem- 

 blance, and named alike the Pomobis erythonoventralis, " red- 

 throat;" and this fish is more widely disseminated in the^up 

 country, and is a finer flavored pan-fish than the calico bass 

 (which is similar to the " speckled hen" on page 285, only the 

 spots are larger and more irregular). 



The chub-robin averages from a half to a pound in \v~eight, 

 and is the gamest fish on the rod of all the minor fauna of the 

 Percidce tribes. 



First dorsal, ten spinal rays; second, eleven soft; anal, 

 three spinal and ten soft ; ventral, one spinal and five soft ; 

 pectoral, twelve soft ; caudal, sixteen soft rays ; scales rather 

 large ; black spot at the upper end of gill, on body ; dark- 

 gray back and fins, yellow sides, and red breast and abdomen, 

 with the lower fins reddish and yellow ; eyes rather large, 

 and little pin-teeth on rim of jaws. 



This ravenous little fish bites at worm or fly, and never 

 backward, but wondrously astonished and angry when hook- 

 ed, showing fight until exhausted. 



Angling for the chub-robin is fine sport on delicate tackle, 

 and the fish will sometimes take very small minnows ; but the 

 white grub-worm is its delight. 



Of breams in American waters the Cyprinus (carp-bream) 

 is the largest, and both families are found in our lakes ; while 

 in some small lakes in South Carolina the Abramis is numer- 

 ous, and excellent sport. It is one of the most wary fishes, 

 and old anglers state that it keeps sentinels stationed over 

 its feeding-ground during the feeding-times, from five to nine 



