GENUS CENTRARCHUS CUVIER & VALEN- 

 CIENNES 



This genus contains but one species, C. macroptenis, the flier or 

 round sun-fish. 



This interesting little sunfish reaches a length of 5 or 6 inches. 

 It inhabits lowland streams, ponds and bayous from Virginia southward 

 near the coast to Florida and Louisiana, and northward sparingly in 

 the Mississippi Valley to Southern Illinois. In the Dismal Swamp 

 region and elsewhere in clear water it is abundant. It is a hand- 

 some little fish, and in some places affords considerable sport to 

 local fishermen. It posses considerable gameness and takes the hook 

 baited with angleworm or small cockroach with an avidity which 

 doubtless gave rise to the name "Flier," by which it is most 

 generally known. 



Colour, green or greenish, with series of dark brown spots 

 on side below lateral line, forming interrupted, longitudinal lines; 

 a dark spot below eye; soft dorsal and anal reticulated; young with a 

 black ocellus at base of soft dorsal. 



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