278 GAME FISH OF NORTH AMERICA. 



alarmed. Here they make their nests by scouring from the peb- 

 Dies on the bottom all the mud and slime. The nest is circular^ 

 and about twice the length of the fish in diameter. Here the 

 female lays her eggs, which at once become glued to the pebbles, 

 where they remain for eight or ten days, when they hatch, the 

 female all the time remaining on or near the nest to keep off 

 predatory intruders. 



In two or three days after hatching, the young fry scatter 

 mostly into deep water, and are not seen again until September, 

 when they come in shore, having grown about two inches in length. 

 If well supplied with food, they grow about four inches the first 

 season. When two years old they reach a pound in weight, and 

 after that grow about a pound each year, until they weigh six or 

 eight pounds. While young the fish feed on insects, worms and 

 larvae, but when larger they appear to rely mainly upon other small 

 fish. They are not very particular as to their diet, their main care 

 being to get plenty of food. They are voracious eaters, and when 

 hard pushed by hunger, do not scruple to devour the smaller and 

 weaker of their own kind, and in this fact probably exists the 

 'reason why they have multiplied much more rapidly in some 

 ponds than in others which, to all appearance, are equally as well 

 adapted to them. Waters which abound in chub, minnows, suck- 

 ers, insect larvae and crayfish afford plenty of food for the bass, 

 and in them he multiplies and grows apace, but in waters where 

 these are wanting, he is reduced to the necessity of eating his own 

 kindred, and of course his increase is very limited. Black bass 

 weighing from three to six pounds each, are too large for stocking 

 open streams, they being liable to wander, while the small ones 

 are more likely to remain near where placed. These small fish 

 commence propagating in July, and continue into the month of 

 August. 



Little need be said of the merits of this fish for the table. Few 

 better pan fish are known to epicures. He is thick, solid and 

 heavy, has little waste and few bones about him, is sweet,, tender 

 and juicy, and when well cooked makes a dish fit for a king. 



The methods of taking black bass are by trolling with minnow 

 or spoon, casting with aitificial fly or live minnow, and by still-fish- 

 ing with a great variety of baits. Probably, as a rule, live bait is 



