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THE AMERICAN SUN PERCH. 



Few of our smaller fresh-water fishes excel either in beauty or in deli- 

 cacy and flavour the species which I have chosen as the subject of this 

 article, and few afford more pleasure to young fishers. Although it occurs in 

 all our streams, whether rapid or gentle, small or large, in the mill-dam over- 

 shadowed by tall forest-trees, or in the open lake margined with reeds, 

 you must never expect to find it in impure waters. Let the place be 

 deep or shallow, broad or narrow, the water must be clear enough to 

 allow the sun's rays to fall unimpaired on the rich coat of mail that covers 

 the body of the Sun-fish. Look at him as he poises himself under the 

 lee of the protecting rock beneath our feet ! See how steadily he main- 

 tains his position, and yet how many rapid motions of his fins are neces- 

 sary to preserve it ! Now another is by his side, glowing with equal 

 beauty, and poising itself by equally easy and graceful movements. The 

 sun is shining, and under the lee of every stone and sunk log, some of the 

 little creatures are rising to the surface, to enjoy the bright blaze, which 

 enhances all their beauty. The golden hues of some parts of the body 

 blend with the green of the emerald, while the coral tints of the lower 

 parts and the red of its sparkling eye, render our little favourite a perfect 

 gem of the waters. 



The rushing stream boils and • gurgles as it forces its way over the 

 obstacles presented by its bed, the craggy points, large stones, and logs 

 that are strewn along the bottom. Every one of these proves a place 

 of rest, safety and observation to the little things, whose eyes are ever 

 anxiously watching their favourite prey as it passes. There an unfortu- 

 nate moth, swept along by the current, labours in vain to extricate itself 

 from the treacherous element ; its body, indeed, at intervals, rises a little 

 above the surface, but its broad wings, now wet and heavy, bear it down 

 again to the water. The Sun-fish has marked it, and as it passes his re- 

 treat, he darts towards it, with twenty of his fellows, all eager to seize 

 the prize. The swiftest swallows it in a moment, and all immediately 

 return to their lurking places, where they fancy themselves secure. But, 

 alas, the Sun-fish is no more without enemies than the moth, or any other 

 living creature. So has Nature determined, evidently to promote pru- 



