TWO FOPS AMONG THE FISHES. 



23 



its length is about eight inches and the breadth one- 

 half as much. The color is then a brilliant blue and 

 orange, the former predominating above; the orange 

 on the sides in spots, the blue in wavy, vertical streaks. 

 The cheeks are orange with bright blue stripes ; the 

 fins with the membranes orange and the rays blue. 

 Extending back from the hind margin of each cheek 

 is a conspicuous blackish membrane termed an "ear- 

 flap," which in this species is longer than in any other 



Fig. 4 Long-eared Sunfish. 

 (One -half natural size.) 



of the sunfish family, whence the specific name, 

 megalotis, from two Greek words meaning "great" 

 and u ea*r". 



Within the placid pools of the brooks and larger 

 streams of the State this sunfish has its favorite haunts. 

 Mid-summer is the time when its habits can be best 

 observed. On a recent August morn I sat for an hour 

 on the banks of a stream, which flows 



