152 THE BRITISH NATURE BOOK 



with four soft barbels. The general colour is greenish brown, becoming yellower 

 on the sides, white belly, red fins, and tail of deep purple. The eggs are 

 deposited in strings among stones. The upper jaw extends considerably 

 beyond the lower. 



4. The Gudgeon (Gobio fluviatilis). A small fish, rarely more than 

 8 inches in length, abounding in many English rivers. The upper colour is 

 olive-brown, spotted with black, the under parts being white. It possesses 

 two small barbels. This species swims in shoals, and feeds on worms, molluscs, 

 and other small creatures. It is one of the easiest fishes to catch. 



5. The Roach (Leuciscus rutilus}. This species is abundant in England 

 and, like the former, is gregarious in habit. It measures from 10 to 15 inches, 

 but whilst attaining to a weight of 3 lb., a specimen weighing a pound or 

 more may be regarded as a good catch. The body has a silvery appearance ; 

 the back is dull green, the lower fins are red, and there are no barbels. 



6. The Rudd (Red eye) (Leuciscus erythrophthalmus). This fish resembles 

 the roach, but is much shorter and deeper. It is found in rivers, lakes, and 

 fens. It is richly coloured, and as its name implies, has red fins and a red eye. 

 It attains a weight of between 2 and 3 lb. 



7. The Chub (Leuciscus cephalus). This, though in reality a common 

 inhabitant of many of our rivers, is a difficult fish to catch, being extremely 

 wary. It prefers rapid water and a clear bottom. I have seen numbers 

 of Chub slowly parading up and down the Mole in the summer between the 

 " swallows," ignoring every kind of bait set out for them. They are a bluish 

 black above, with white beneath. The cheeks and gill covers are a rich 

 golden brown. A fish of 2 or 3 lb. is a good catch ; but specimens have been 

 taken from 5 to 7 lb. hi weight. The scales of this fish, as indeed of several 

 others, are used in the manufacture of artificial pearls. 



8. The Dace (Leuciscus vulgaris). This is a local species, though common 

 enough where found. It prefers the deep clear water of quiet streams. It 

 is not unlike the Roach in shape, but rather longer, and the scales are smaller. 

 It seldom exceeds a pound in weight. It is a dusky blue above, paler on the 

 sides and white below, and has a beautiful silvery appearance throughout. 

 It swims in shoals, feeding on insects and vegetable matter, and spawning 

 in May or June. It is, perhaps, the liveliest and most " sporting " of all 

 its family. 



9. The Minnow (Leuciscus phoscinus). This species seldom exceeds 4 inches 

 in length. It is a very active and common fish, generally found in swarms 

 in rivers and swift-running streams. In the breeding season it is exceedingly 

 handsome olive-brown on the back, and a metallic lustre on the sides. The 

 fins are a beautiful silver-grey, tinted with rose or pink at the base, and marked 

 during the height of the season with small pure white spots or knobs. After 

 spawning the colours become duller. It is a voracious feeder, eating aquatic 

 plants, worms, insects, etc., but it is, in its turn, preyed upon by many other 

 fish. It spawns in June, and the eggs hatch in a few days. The Minnow 



