FISH : THEIR HABITS AND HAUNTS. 6l 



thirty of them are sometimes taken in a 

 short time in one spot. But there are times 

 and seasons when it is past the angler's art 

 to tempt the perch to feed. The middle of 

 the day in summer is very unfavorable ; and, 

 as a general rule, the best time for angling 

 for them is from sunrise to eight o'clock in 

 the morning, and from four o'clock till dark 

 in the evening. 



The season for fishing perch is from 

 August till March. Its flesh is very firm 

 and white, of excellent flavor, and particu- 

 larly wholesome and easy to digest. Mr. 

 Yarrell says : " The perch, though common, 

 is one of the most beautiful of our fresh- 

 water fishes, and when in good condition its 

 colors are brilliant and striking. The upper 

 part of the body is a rich greenish-brown, 

 passing into golden-yellow ; the first dorsal 

 fin is brown, the membrane connecting two or 

 three of the first and last rays spotted with 

 black ; the second dorsal and pectoral fins. 



