CHAPTER II. 



Habits. 



WITH the exception of the speckled trout, no fish are 

 so fond of clean, cool water as the small-mouthed 

 bass. Unlike their brethren of the large-mouthed 

 species, they delight in water flowing over clean sand and 

 rock; and it is only when hard pressed for food or frightened 

 by storms that they resort to weed-beds and muddy pools. 

 In small inland lakes they may always be found wherever 

 there is the least sign of a current, or where eddies form in 

 narrow channels between islands, and around broken rock, 

 where, owdng to the conformation of the surrounding land, 

 the water is more or less agitated. At the entrance of creeks 

 or of small streams, especially if the water be pure and 

 limpid, they may generally be found for days together. 



In running streams they may be seen on bright days, 

 their heads directed towards the current, their golden fins 

 wavering ever to and fro, their mouths half -open, and their 

 crimson gills moving gently in and out, revelling in the clean 

 water and liquid motion ; and they will keep themselves 

 suspended in mid-stream apparently for the mere pleasure 

 of living in aerated water. 



In the heat of a summer's day they generally resort to 

 sheltered spots, where they hide until the sinking sun, with 

 its long shadows, enables them to emerge from their hiding- 

 places and obtain food. As a rule, they feed from two hours 

 before until an hour after sundown, probably as long as 

 they can see their prey. Just about dark, when their only 

 chance of obtaining food is by watching the top of the water 



