THE EEL 



THE common eel is another bottom 

 fish that is caught extensively by 

 hand lines, mostly at evening or 

 nighttime, for the reason that it is noc- 

 turnal in its habits, sleeping or lying in the 

 mud with its head just peeping out during 

 the day. It dislikes sunny spots, and pre- 

 fers to lie in the shadow of piles and 

 bridges. It is a most voracious feeder, 

 devouring great quantities of the fry of 

 other fishes, being one of the greatest 

 enemies of the spawn of trout and other 

 game fish. On their food-hunting excur- 

 sions they turn over huge and small stones 

 alike, working for hours if necessary, be- 

 neath which they find species of shrimp and 

 crayfish, of which they are particularly 

 fond. Nothing in the shape of living thing 

 comes amiss to an eel, aquatic insects, water 

 beetles, everything that lives in the water 

 18 



