THE COMMON PERCH. l^ 



water, and holes by the sides of or near to gentle 

 streams, where there is an eddy ; the hollows under 

 banks, among weeds, and roots of trees j the piles of 

 bridges, or ditches and back streams that have a 

 communication with some river. They will also 

 thrive fast in ponds that are fed by a brook or ri- 

 vulet. 



Perch are very tenacious of life. They have been 

 known to survive a journey of near sixty miles, al- 

 though packed in dry straw. 



It is generally believed that the Pike will not at- 

 tack a full-grown Perch, on account of the spiny 

 fins on its back, which this fish always erects on the 

 approach of an enemy. The smaller Perch, how- 

 ever, are frequently used as bait for the Pike. 



The season of angling for Perch is from April to 

 January: and the time from sunrise till ten o'clock, 

 and from two o'clock till sunset ; except in cloudy 

 weather, with a ruffling south wind, when they will 

 bite all day. The baits are various kinds ot worms, 

 a minnow, or grasshopper. — So voracious are these 

 fish that, it is said, if an expert angler finds a shoal 

 of them, he is sure of taking every one. If, however, 

 a single fish escapes that has felt the hook, all is 

 over ; this fish becomes so restless as soon to occa- 

 sion the whole shoal to leave the place. 



In winter the Perch is exceedingly abstemious, 

 and during that season scarcely ever bites, except 

 in the middle of a warm sun-shiny day. — In clear 

 weather in the spring, sometimes a dozen or more of 

 these fish may be observed in a deep hole, sheltered 

 by trees and bushes. The angler may then observe 



