THE VERTEBRATES 195 



more exact study of the nests of the different species 

 and the fishes' defense of them would be a valuable 

 addition to our knowledge. The most striking traits of 

 this fish are its vivacity and courage. The sexes are similar 

 in appearance and both defend the nest. 



Closely related to the sunfish are the various kinds of 

 bass, the "crappies," the calico bass, the rock-bass, and 

 the large-mouthed and small-mouthed bass. All the mem- 

 bers of the sunfish and bass family are carnivorous fishes, 

 especially common in the Mississippi Valley. 



Another family of many species, especially common in 

 the clear, swift, and strong Eastern rivers, is that of the 

 darters and perches. The darters are little, slender-bodied 

 forms, which lie motionless on the bottom, moving like 

 a flash when disturbed and slipping under stones out of 

 sight of their enemies. Some are most brilliantly colored, 

 surpassing in this respect all other fresh-water 

 fishes. 



Unlike the sunfishes and the darters are the catfishes. 

 The catfish gets its name from the long feelers about its 

 mouth; from these also come its other names of horned 

 pout, and bull-head. It has no scales, but its spines are 

 sharp and often barbed or jagged and capable of making 

 a severe wound. 



Remotely allied to the catfishes are the suckers, minnows, 

 and chubs, with smooth scales, soft fins, and soft bodies, 

 and the flesh full of small bones. These little fish are very 

 numerous in species, some kinds swarming in all fresh 

 water in America, Europe, and Asia. They usually swim 

 in the open water, the prey of every carnivorous fish, mak- 

 ing up by their fecundity or ability to produce young in 

 great numbers and their insignificance for their lack of 

 defensive armature. In some species the male is adorned 

 in the spring with bright pigment — -red, black, blue, or 

 milk-white. In some cases, too, it has bony warts or horns 



