182 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK 



defence of the Chub, and on whose statement I can rely 

 with entire confidence — that in his younger days, when going 

 to a large mill-pond to bathe, he was struck with the move- 

 ments of a Catfish some ten to twelve inches long, which was 

 swimming near the bank, in water about twelve or fifteen 

 inches deep, making circuits round and round a mass of dark 

 specks, which were lying huddled together in a space about a 

 foot in diameter. Upon lying down on the bank and parting 

 the sedge and long grass which overhung the water, he dis- 

 covered that the dark specks were young Catfish, about 

 one-half to three-fourths of an inch in length, while the 

 maternal anxiety manifested by the parent fish was ex- 

 plained by his observing at a short distance a number of 

 hlmgry Sunfish, who were hovering round, and with greedy 

 eyes watching their chance to make a dash at the young 

 innocents. Whenever any of the heedless brood would show 

 an inclination to swim away from the flock, the old one would 

 head them off and drive them back to the fold, and protecting 

 them- from the maw of the spoilers so long as my friend 

 watched this curious exhibition of an instinct which till then 

 he had supposed all kinds of fish to be wholly devoid of. 



It is hardly necessary to describe the tackle and manner of 

 taking the Catfish: either or both must be suited to the 

 water and size of the fish. 



The smaller species are favorite pan-fish in the Atlantic 

 States, from Delaware to Georgia. The larger, particularly the 

 White forked-tail Catfish of tide- water, makes an excellent 

 stew. They should not be skinned, nor the heads taken off; 

 but well scraped and washed, then seasoned with onions and 

 other pot-herbs, and smoked bacon-flitch : a little rich milk 

 should be poured in the stew before it is taken off the fire. 



