216 Bass, Pike, and Perch 



fins are but slightly separated, and the caudal fin 

 is almost square. 



The color of the back and top of the head is 

 bluish or bluish gray, with silvery sides and white 

 belly, and with purple and golden iridescence. 

 A series of dark, diffused spots or blotches form 

 transverse or oblique streaks, more pronounced 

 on the upper part of the body, from whence they 

 run downward and forward. The cheeks and 

 gill-covers are silvery and chin yellowish ; the 

 ventral and anal fins are orange; dorsal fin 

 dusky; pectoral fins yellowish; caudal fin with 

 upper part dark and lower part yellowish. 



The weakfish is a warm-water fish, visiting the 

 coast and bays during the spring, summer, and 

 fall, though more abundant in the summer. 

 They are surface feeders, and swim in large 

 schools in quest of menhaden, scup, and other 

 small fishes. They are more numerous some 

 seasons than others, probably owing to certain 

 conditions affecting their food, temperature of 

 water, and the abundance or scarcity of their 

 enemy, the bluefish. They seldom, if ever, 

 ascend the streams to fresh water, but remain 

 about the outer beaches, entering the inlets and 

 estuaries on the flood tide in pursuit of their 



