172 



AMERICAN FISHES. 



ABDOMINAL 

 MALACOPTEEYGII. 



THE NEW YORK SHINER. 



IStilbe Chrysoleucas ; Agassiz. Cyprinus Chrysoleucas; Mitchil. 



THIS beautiful little fish is common to almost every pond and stream 

 throughout the temperate regions of North America, from the waters 

 of New England to those of Lake Huron. It is found associating to a 

 certain degree with the species last described, and still more com- 

 monly with the Sun-Fish, Pomotis Vulgaris, and the Yellow Pearch, 

 Perca Flavescens, though it undoubtedly falls a victim to the voracious 

 appetite of the latter fish, when it grows to a larger size. It loves 

 gravelly shallows, on which it spawns, and is constantly to be seen 

 sporting among the leaves of the large water lilies. 



Like the species last named, it is an excellent bait both for Pearch 

 and Pike, and is often taken on spinning tackle by great Trouts, 

 whether brook or lacustrine. 



It belongs to that group of Leucisci which have the dorsal fin far 

 back, and in this respect greatly resembles the subgenus Abramis, or 

 Bream. 



Its head is small, smooth, and depressed above The mouth is 

 small, and destitute of teeth. The eyes are large, with yellow irides. 

 The body is very deep, being very nearly one- third of the length, 

 excluding the caudal fin The branchiostegal rays are three in nuin- 



