The Perch Family 159 



fins, well separated ; the caudal fin is forked. 

 The scales are small and rough. The edge of 

 the cheek-bone is toothed or serrated, and the 

 edge of the gill-cover has one or more small 

 spines. The color varies considerably in differ- 

 ent localities, and even in the same waters. The 

 usual color is olive, or greenish brown, mottled 

 with brassy or yellowish blotches forming oblique 

 but indistinct lines, or vermicular markings. The 

 head is similarly colored and marked ; the lower 

 jaw is reddish ; the belly and lower fins pinkish 

 or yellowish ; the first dorsal fin is not much 

 marked, but has a large black blotch on its pos- 

 terior border; the second dorsal fin is mottled 

 with olive, brown, and yellow ; the caudal fin is 

 likewise mottled, with the tip of the lower lobe 

 white or light colored. 



The pike-perch frequents waters of good depth, 

 only entering the shallow portions of streams and 

 lakes at spawning time, and at night when feed- 

 ing. It prefers a bottom of rock or gravel in 

 clear and cool water, and loves to lie in the deep 

 pools at the foot of riffles, or at the entrance of 

 streams ; or where the current is strong and deep 

 near mill-dams and under sunken logs, or shelv- 

 ing rocks and banks, and about the timbers of 



