The Pike Family 139 



ground color; the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins 

 are marked with dark spots or blotches. It 

 is somewhat more gregarious, and is more of a 

 rover than the mascalonge ; otherwise its habits 

 are very similar, and it coexists with that fish 

 in many waters, especially in the region of the 

 Great Lakes. It feeds on fish, frogs, and water- 

 snakes. Its usual weight reaches fifteen pounds, 

 though it occasionally grows to four feet in 

 length and a weight of twenty-five or thirty 

 pounds. 



As a food-fish it is variously estimated. Some 

 consider it to be very good, and it sells well in 

 the markets, — which, however, is not always a 

 fair criterion. It is much better in the fall and 

 winter than in summer. Most people who 

 know it best, and I agree with them, think it 

 inferior to any fresh-water fish for the table 

 except the carp and sucker. Its flesh is soft 

 and dry, and unless of large size is not flaky, 

 and it is, moreover, very full of small bones. 

 One of ten pounds, stuffed with a savory dress- 

 ing and baked, is not unpalatable, but cannot 

 be compared favorably with the whitefish, black- 

 bass, or trout. 



The pike when of large size is a good game- 



