118 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



BREAM. 



In the Southern States this fish is called "Bream," from some 

 fancied likeness to the European fish of that name, which 

 it resembles only in its outline. The true Bream belongs to 

 the peaceable family of Cyprinidas, and our rapacious little 

 friend to the Percidae. The first attains a weight of five or 

 six pounds, in England, and the latter is seldom taken over 

 eight or nine inches long. It is found in nearly all of the 

 Atlantic States, and generally in the small streams and lake- 

 lets through the whole length of the Mississippi valley, 

 decreasing in size as its range extends northward. It is an 

 excellent pan fish, its flesh being firm, crisp, and well flavored. 

 I have been told that the Red-Bellied Bream is taken of a 

 pound weight in the still waters of North and South Carolina. 



There are two species of Bream described by Dr. Holbrook. 

 The one he describes as " Ichthylis incisor" is the Blue Bream, 

 or Copper-Nosed Bream ; it seldom, exceeds eight inches in 

 length. The other, " Ichthylis rubricunda" is the Red-Bellied 

 Perch, or Red-Tailed Bream. 



There is yet another Percoid, with brilliant sides and dark 

 green mottled back, known as the Goggle-Eye, or War-Mouth 

 Perch. Its shape is different from either of the first named, 

 carrying its oval form no farther than the anal fin, where 

 it falls off suddenly, and is thence very small to the caudal. 

 I have never seen a description of it in any work on ichthy- 

 ology. These three species are frequently called Sunfish, or 

 Sun Perch, and are taken in the same company. 



