1909.] THE CAYUGA LAKE BASIN, N. Y. 393 



IV. Order HALECOMORPHI. 



4. Family Amiid^. The Bowfins. 



5. Amiatus calva (Linnaeus). Bowfin. 



Abundant. Meek recorded this species as " seldom taken near 

 Ithaca " and " not common at the north end of the lake." During 

 recent years the bowfin has increased so rapidly in numbers that it 

 has become a serious pest. In shallow water during the month of 

 August hundreds may be seen in rowing a quarter of a mile. Foster 

 Parker, of Union Springs, reports that he has repeatedly seen them 

 capture and swallow the young of marsh birds. 



V. Order NEMATOGNATHI. 



5. Family Silurid^. The Catfishes. 



6. Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque). Spotted catfish. 



Rare. Only two specimens have been recorded ; one eleven 

 inches long was taken on hook and line near the mouth of the inlet 

 by Mrs. R. J. Ashdown July 10, 1902 ; the other, ten inches long, was 

 taken in the same locality August 25, 1908. 



7. Ameiurus natalis (Le Sueur). Yellow cat. 



There is one specimen (No. 888) in the collection of Cornell 

 University taken from the lake September 27, 1877. This is prob- 

 ably the specimen referred to in Meek's list : " I have seen but one 

 specimen of this species from the lake. It was taken a few years 

 ago." 



8. Ameiurus vulgaris (Thompson). Long-jawed cat. 



The collection of Cornell University contains two specimens of 

 this species taken from the lake; one November 7, 1885, the other 

 February 16, 1886. 



9. Ameiurus nebulosus (Le Sueur). Common bullhead. 



Abundant in the lake and all of its tributaries. In the larger 

 streams it is found above the falls. 



10. Schilbeodes gyrinus (Mitchill). Tadpole cat. 



Common throughout the lake along muddy shores and in the 

 streams, below falls, over a muddy bottom. 



PROC. AMER. PHIL. SOC, XLVIU. I93 Z, PRINTED JANUARY 6, I9IO. 



