TRACES OF VOICES IN FISHES. 



435 



After several summers spent in observing the breed- 

 ing habits of these common fishes, I have ventured to 

 form two tables, relating to the breeding habits and their 

 connection with the color and supposed voice of sixteen 

 species of fresh-water fishes. In the first of these, I have 

 simply separated them into bright and dull-colored spe- 

 cies; the bright coloration referring to the breeding 

 dress or spring tinting. In the second list, I have sepa- 

 rated them according to their supposed vocal powers; 

 and it will be seen on comparison that a combination of 

 voice and conspicuous coloring does not occur. 



Brilliant Colors. 

 Yellow perch. 

 Common snnfish. 

 Kiver sunfish. 

 Red-fin. 



TABLE I. 



Dull or Silvery. 

 Pirate. 

 Mud sunfish. 

 Gizzard shad. 

 Mullet. 

 Eel. 



Cat-fish. 

 Lamprey. 

 Sturgeon. 



TABLE II. 



Supposed Vocal Power. 

 Pirate. 

 Mud sunfish. 

 Gizzard shad. 

 Mullet. 

 Lamprey. 

 Cat-fish. 

 Eel. 

 Sturgeon. 



Voiceless. 

 Yellow perch. 

 Common sunfish. 1 

 Eiver sunfish. 

 Banded sunfish. 

 Chuh. 

 Eoach. 

 Red-fin. 

 Pike. 

 Bill-fish. 



We have here enumerated four species that are brill- 

 iantly colored, and eight that are dull or simply silvery ; 

 and of the former, none are believed to have any voice 



