36 THE HABITS AND HAUNTS OF FISH. 



common to running waters, they will flourish in 

 still pools and ponds. The same observation may 

 be applied with equal truth to the 



GUDGEON. These little fish, in common with 

 minnows and other small fry, frequent main rivers 

 and tributaries alike in incredible numbers, migrating 

 in shoals. They are extremely prolific. Their chief 

 use to the angler is for bait for the larger species of fish. 



CHUB (Leuciscus cephalus). Chub frequent deep 

 and rapid waters. They rank among the very coarsest 

 of fresh-water fish ; nevertheless, they are not to be 

 found in stagnant, foul, or habitually discoloured 

 water ; indeed, it is rarely they flourish except where 

 they have the advantage of a constant supply of food, 

 as is the case in the vicinity of the rapid passage of a 

 volume of water. In lakes, ponds, or canals, these fish 

 are rarely found. Their "holts" in small rivers are 

 usually deep still pools, those sheltered by overhang- 

 ing trees or bushes being their chosen resort, especi- 

 ally when the stream is powerful just near the head 

 of the pool. In larger and wider ones the fish lie 

 in the streams when gently flowing, and near the 

 shelving or well-wooded bank. Sandy or gravelly 

 bottoms are preferred by the chub. They are seldom 

 or never found where the bed of the water is of mud 

 or loam ; they, like the grayling, find food in the 

 gravel and sandy bed. They feed, as is the case 

 with the whole cyprinus family, upon aquatic plants, 

 and have, in common with their order, fully developed 

 throat teeth. Their food also consists of worms, flies, 

 beetles, grubs, and, indeed, everything that in general 



