i88 Field Columbian Museum — Zoology. Vol. VII. 



they have become accustomed to these places, the fisherman 

 removes the brush and the fish continue to enter the enclosure the 

 same as before. When the net is thrown into the center of the 

 enclosure, the fish become frightened and swim in all directions. 

 By the time the net strikes the water they have gone to the edges 

 of the basin, and not being able to escape swim back towards the 

 opposite side and thus many are caught under the net. A few 

 throws take most of the fish out of the basin. Soon, however, 

 others come in and are captured in the same way. The Pesca- 

 ditos frequent the shore and these basins in larger numbers at 

 night than in the daytime, and so fishing for them is done mostly 

 after sundown. In rocky places, and where there is no shallow 

 water, these basins are made by digging back in the shore, and some 

 have been made at the expense of considerable labor. These 

 small fishes are usually more abundant along the shores where 

 there are warm springs. On Lake Atitlan, at Santa Catarina, is 

 a stretch of shore line where there is considerable Surface of warm 

 water. At this place narrow trenches are dug back some dis- 

 tance, which this species frequents in large numbers, where they 

 are easily caught. The shore of this lake contains only small 

 areas of shallow water, and does not afford opportunities for the 

 construction of small trap-like basins for the capture of this fish, 

 as does the shore at Lake Amatitlan. Conical traps, made of 

 wickerwork, are also used here to capture these fishes. The 

 Serica is, however, more easily taken in these traps than is this 

 species. In these lakes and neighboring waters there are evi- 

 dently more individuals of the Pescadito than of all other fishes 

 combined. This is especially true of Lake Atitlan. This species 

 is very abundant in fresh and brackish water of the lowlands of 

 southern Mexico, south to Nicaragua. In Central America it is 

 the small fish found near the head waters of rivers on both sides 

 of the divide. It is the small fish usually seen swimming near 

 the hot springs in Middle America. It probably never goes in 

 water warmer than loo to iio° F. It certainly does not at 

 Amatitlan. As food for game fishes, it will serve its purpose best. 

 The introduction of a fish which lives on small fishes is the best 

 means of converting this species into much better food than 

 it at present makes. Lakes Amatitlan and Atitlan, very 

 abundant. 



