13G THE FRESH-WATER FISHES OF EUROPE. 



In size the Rudd does not exceed one foot as in some of the Swiss and 

 Hungarian lakes but nine to ten inches is a good size; the weight is from 

 one and a half to two pounds, though English specimens have been recorded 

 which weighed from two to three pounds. 



The Rudd is met with in company with the Crucian Carp and Tench, is 

 cautious and rapid in its movements, prefers water which moves slowly, and 

 hence is frequent in ponds and lakes. It feeds on insects, worms, and water 

 plants, and Fatio has attributed the dark colour of the fins in some varieties 

 to an exclusive diet of dark green vegetable growth. It is taken easily 



Fig. 63. LEUCISCUS ERYTHROPHTHALMUS (LINNAEUS), VAR. DERGLE (HECK.EL AND KNER). 



in the Norfolk waters with the red worm, at sunrise and sunset. It is tena- 

 cious of life, and on that account is used as bait for the Pike. 



It breeds freely, and furnishes food for Perch, Trout, and other predacious 

 fishes. It spawns in April or May, and lays its eggs by the margins of 

 streams where aquatic plants are plentiful. The eggs number about 100,000. 

 The skin of the head and back at this time becomes covered in the male with 

 little asperities. 



It lives for about four or five years. The flesh is too full of bones to be 

 much valued as food, but it is considered better eating than the Roach; and 

 Yarrell mentions having seen it exposed for sale by the dozen in the old 

 Hungerford Fish Market, which stood on the site of the Charing Cross 

 Railway Station in London. 



The variety which Heckel and Kner distinguished under the name Dergle 

 presents minor differences of aspect (Fig. 63). It approaches closely to the 

 dark-finned variety kesperidicus , which is found not only in the north of Italy, 



