BRIEF NOTES ON FISHES. 381 



nous parts of small insects present, but not abundant ; dia- 

 toms, desmids, and fragments of algae, probably acci- 

 dental ; and a single rhizopod (Centropyxis aculeata). In 

 very young fish he found Chironomus larvae few, and 

 Cyclops quadricornis and Daphnia sp. numerous. 



He adds, " In the stomach of a full-grown fish there 

 were from seventy-five to one hundred Chironomus larvae, 

 which seem to be the favorite food." This shows at a 

 glance that the banded sunfish is essentially a surface 

 feeder, and, as we seldom see them moving about in the 

 open water or near the surface, they are probably noctur- 

 nal in their habits. In an aquarium, however, they seem 

 to be as active during the day as at night, although averse 

 to exposure to direct sunlight. 



As a fish for the aquarium, the banded sunfishes are 

 deservedly popular, and, indeed, they are better known 

 as dwellers in such narrow quarters than as a prominent 

 species in the fauna of the lower Delaware Valley. I be- 

 lieve they are not found above tide-water at all. I have 

 frequently shown these fish to old fishermen, who rarely 

 acknowledge that they have ever before seen them ; and 

 this fact is corroborative of what I had long supposed, 

 that these fish are only found in out-of-the-way nooks 

 and corners, where game-fish seldom if ever come, and 

 that hence their haunts are not often invaded. In fact, 

 one would scarcely expect to find any fish in some of the 

 weed-grown holes in the meadows, where, in truth, scores 

 of banded sunfish are quietly taking their ease. 



Occasionally, however, I have seen this fish wander 

 into quite open waters, and here it is that it shows to 

 such advantage, when, with the brilliant black dorsal and 

 pectoral fins spread, it moves majestically along. 



Although so small, it is a plucky fish, and promptly 

 resents any interference. Being a feeble swimmer, it 



