Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 369 



in the water marks where they have dashed from shore. They 

 were occasionally seen under the clear ice. In December, 1904, 

 they were observed hiding under the ice-fringes along the edge of 

 the Outlet. A good many of them about the same time went into 

 the lagoons in Green's marsh and some froze there. On one oc- 

 casion about a dozen dead ones were seen at that place. As soon 

 as the ice melts in spring and the melting snows and early rains 

 raise the waters over the flats and fill the little rills, the grass pikes 

 may be seen pushing their way out into even the shallowest places. 

 The tiniest rill that runs into the lake is ascended to its very source, 

 and it is surprising how far they will manage to wiggle up some 

 tiny thread of a brook. They scatter out over the flats and 

 bayous, and are common in the ditches. In 1901 the spring run 

 began about April 1, and they were frequently seen in shallow 

 lagoons and ponds in Gi'een's marsh until April 30. Even earlier 

 in the spring before the ice has gone off, they may be seen through 

 the ice in the shallow water of the bayous and along the lake 

 shore. And a little later, when open places in the ice begin to ap- 

 pear. Grass Pike may often be seen in such places and in open 

 places in the ditches. One may sometimes kill them in such situa- 

 tions by striking them with a stick. 



Ordinarily the Grass Pike is not sought by anglers; its small 

 size and disinclination to take the baited hook preclude its becom- 

 ing a game-fish of any importance. It will, however, take the hook 

 and is sometimes seen on the small boy's string. The flesh is 

 white, firm, flaky, and of delicious flavor. 



Like other species of the genus, the Grass Pike is a voracious 

 fish which preys largely on other fishes. An example six inches long 

 contained a small straw bass. 



Distomid parasites are often found in its stomach. 



The spring invasion of the shallow, reed-covered places is for 

 breeding purposes. A few fish were examined about April 4, and 

 the eggs appeared to be nearly mature, about 15 to the inch, and 

 one example caught contained about 1,896 eggs. 



Head 3j; depth 5 to 6; eye large, 2-i- in snout, about 6 in head. 

 Branchiostegals 11 to 13; D. 11 or 12; A. 11 or 12; scales 105. 

 Body moderately stout, somewhat compressed ; head rather short, 

 the eye being exactly in the middle of the head ; middle of eye 

 nearer tip of chin than to gill-opening ; snout 2.J in head ; caudal well 

 forked. 



The following are life colors of a female example 10.5 inches 

 long captured at Green's marsh, April 4, 1901 : Back olivaceous, 

 lighter along median line, bounded on each side by a series of ir- 



