128 Wild Life in Water 



Having said so much of small fishes, what 

 now of the larger ones that prey upon them ? 

 A pike, for instance ? Probably many more 

 people have studied how to catch a pike than 

 have considered it scientifically. It is tire- 

 some, perhaps, but if a student of natural his- 

 tory really desires to know what a fish aftually 

 is, he must watch it for hours, being himself 

 unseen. 



At one time there were several large pike 

 in my lotus pond. Under the huge floating 

 leaves of this splendid plant they took refuge, 

 and it was difficult to catch even a glimpse 

 of them. At the same time the schools of 

 minnows seemed to enjoy the sunlight and 

 sported in the open water. More than once, 

 however, I saw a pike rush out from its 

 cover, and finally learned that it systematically 

 lay in wait for the minnows ; and I believe 

 I am justified in adding that the minnows 

 knew that danger lurked under the lotus 

 leaves. 



The situation was not so hap-hazard a one 

 as might appear at first glance, and hours of 

 patient watching convinced me that there was 

 a decided exercising of ingenuity on the part 

 of both the pike and the minnows ; the for- 



