STICKLEBACK. 83 



BULLHEAD. 



THE Bullhead, or Miller's Thumb, is to be 

 found in almost all rivers ; it rarely exceeds the 

 length of three inches ; its general colour is yel- 

 lowish olive, much deeper on the head, and up- 

 per parts of the back ; and the whole body is 

 more or less clouded with small dusky specks; 

 the fins are large and yellowish, and likewise 

 speckled ; the head is large and flat, and broad- 

 er than any part of the body. This fish occa- 

 sionally swims with great strength and rapidity, 

 when in pursuit of its prey, though its general 

 habit is that of lying on the gravel, or under 

 stones, in an apparently inert state. Notwith- 

 standing its disagreeable appearance, it is con- 

 sidered as an eatable fish, and is even regarded 

 as delicate ; the flesh turns of a red or salmon- 

 colour on boiling. The Bullhead usually spawns 

 in March and April. This fish, also, is fre- 

 quently caught when angling for Minnows. 



STICKLEBACK. 



THE Stickleback is an almost universal inha- 

 bitant of rivers, ponds, and marshes, and when 

 in its full perfection of colour is highly beautiful; 

 the back being of a fine olive green, the sides 

 G 



