360 



TROPICAL WILD LIFE IN BRITISH GUIANA 



I'liutd hii I'. >;. It. 



FIG. 122. HEAD OF PERM 



fresh, the perai swarm in countless hordes thron<>h many of 

 the inland reaches. They thrive in e<jnal numbers, above or 

 below the rapids, though seldom in them, for they do not 

 love the swish and swirl of hiu'ried water, but seek rather the 

 slower moving })ack currents and the long level stretches 

 between the falls. The deep canals of the xVmazon Valley 

 and the quieter pools of swift running mountain streams a 

 thousand miles inland, thousands of feet above the level oJ 

 the sea, are as truly their home, as the inner fresh tide- 

 waters, only forty miles from the sea. And everywhere they 

 are a scoiu'ge both to men and beasts. 



During our stay at Kalacoon the (juestion several times 

 arose as to whether the perai is a bottom fish or one that has 

 no particular preference for its Held of action. Observation 

 shows the latter to be the case, though to catch them on a 

 baited hook, the best results arc obtained bv allowino- the 

 bait to rest near the bottom. They may be seen at all times 

 of the day leaping and ])laying about the surface, either close 



