22 CHECK LIST OF THE 



ing end of head ; humeral shield little developed ; dorsal and pectoral spines 

 strong, shorter than soft rays ; height of dorsal equal to twice the length 

 of its base ; adipose fin long, opposite to and longer than anal ; caudal 

 rounded. Colour yellowish, more or less clouded with darker. Length 

 about eighteen inches. 



D. I., 6; A., 24; V. I., 8. 



The Yellow Cat is found in Lakes Ontario, Erie and Huron. It is 

 not a very well marked species and is in consequence generally confused 

 with the other small Catfish. Its flesh is much esteemed by some peopk, 

 but as an angler's fish it is not highly prized. 



Sluggish streams, weedy bays and deep water marshes are its favorite 

 resorts, and in its habits it resembles the other members of the genus. 



(n) Long-jawed Catfish. 



(Ameiurus vulgaris.) 



Head longer than broad, rather narrow forward, mouth wide ; barbels 

 long ; lower jaw more or less distinctly projecting. Eye very small. Adi- 

 pose fin well developed. The pectoral spine is stout and about two-thirds 

 as long as the fin. Caudal square ; anal rounded. Length about eighteen 

 inches. Colour dark reddish brown, varying to blackish. D. I., 6; A., 

 18 to 20; V. I., 8. 



This species is found in most still weedy waters throughout the Pro 

 vince, being most abundant from Lake Erie westward. Under favorable 

 conditions it sometimes attains a weight of four pounds and is equally 

 good as a food fish as the rest of its tribe, which it also resembles in its 

 habits. 



(12) Common Catfish. Bullhead. 



(Ameiurus nebulosus.) 



Head heavy, upper jaw usually distinctly longer than the lower. 

 Barbels, eight ; maxillary barbels as long as head ; dorsal profile from tip 

 of snout to dorsal fin straight and rather steep ; mouth wide and terminal ; 

 teeth awl-shaped, in broad bands on the intermaxillaries and dentaries ; 

 dorsal situated in front of middle of body, short and high ; adipose fin 

 stout ; anal large. Caudal square or slightly emarginate. Colour very 

 variable, usually dark yellowish or olive, clouded with darker above, 

 becoming yellowish or almost white below; sometimes entirely 'black. 



D. I., 6; A., 20 to 22; V. I., 6. 



This species reaches a maximum length of about eighteen inches and 

 a weight of four pounds ; the average of those taken in our waters is, 

 however, much less. It is the common Catfish of the Province, occurring 

 abundantly in all quiet streams, ponds and bays, especially in those 

 having a mud bottom. 



Early in June, when about to spawn, the Catfishes select a spot in 

 quiet shallow water near aquatic weeds and there they make a nest, from 



