252 FISH. 



which are well known and easily recognized as saucer-shaped depres- 

 sions, were usually located in comparatively shallow water, the depth 

 ranging from six inches to two or three feet. The fish began opera- 

 tions by removing any plant material that was present. The loose 

 material was rooted or bunted out of the way and the attached stalks 

 were seized in the mouth and dragged away, little judgment being 

 used in the method of seizing. When the aquatic vegetation had been 

 cleared awaj'' sufficiently, the clearing away of the sediment was be- 

 gun. This the fish accomplished with a long sweeping stroke of the 

 tail. The movement of the body caused by the sweeping tail was 

 largely but not entirely compensated for by an opposing motion of 

 the pectorals, so that a slow progressive motion took place. This 

 forward movement was accompanied by a depression of the tail or 

 caudal fin, so that the fish lay vertically in the water. The result 

 of these sweeping strokes was the production of a current in the 

 water which carried out the debris. 



The sweeping was quite vigorous, especially as the breeding season 

 approached, so that the mud and fine sand were swept aside exposing 

 the coarse gravel or the roots of aquatic plants. Often the mouth 

 was brought into play in removing the gravel and small stones. The 

 final result of the sweeping and handling of the plants and gravel 

 was a shallow depression of some ten to eighteen inches in diameter 

 by two to four inches in depth. 



The single case of spawning th^t was observed from first to last 

 took place as follows. At about half-past three on a warm sunny 

 afternoon (June 5) my boat glided over a nest w^here the owner poised 

 a moment and then disappeared among the weeds near by. I paused, 

 and it was not long before he returned from his concealment showing 

 little fear of me. He was a splendid big fellow, six to eight inches 

 long, with a little greenish blue showing on his muzzle as from a scar. 

 By this mark he was easily recognized. Directly beneath me, in 

 about two feet of water, I observed him stroking vigorously with his 

 pectoral fins and tail. The result of this motion was to produce 

 currents as shown by the disturbed particles on the bottom, yet was 

 so compensated for that the position of the fish was not changed. 

 While performing in this way the male stayed within about two 

 inches of the bottom. 



This exercise was occasionally interrupted by the unwelcome ap- 

 proach of a few minnows (Notropis sp.), and by the fish leaving the 

 nest suddenly. These sudden departures were accomplished by quick 

 movements very similar to those shown in fright. That they were 

 not from fright, I was able to demonstrate by attempting to frighten 

 him. He would allow me to chase him all over the nest with a stick 



