THE SUNFISH ' 185 



rainbow-tinted sides for the joys they have been, are and 

 yet will be to Childhood! 



Out of so many species it is difficult to select representa- 

 tives, but it seems that first choice should fall upon the 

 following : 



The Common Sunfish, or Pumpkin-Seed.^ — This is the 

 brilliant olive-green, blue and orange-yellow fish which, when 

 taken dripping from the water, has all the colors of a green 

 opal, and several more. It is distinguishable by the touch 

 of bright scarlet on the lower portion of its gill-covers. It is 

 found in clear ponds, large brooks, and other streams from 

 Florida, northward and eastward of the Appalachian chain to 

 Maine, thence westward through the Great Lakes region 

 to Iowa and Manitoba. It is subject to considerable varia- 

 tions in color markings. 



In the Great Lakes, this fish attains a weight of 1}.4 pounds, 

 but elsewhere a specimen 6 inches in length and weighing 

 8 ounces is considered a large one. 



The Blue-Gill or Black-Gill'^ is the largest of the sun- 

 fishes. Its opercle, or gill-cover, terminates on the side in an 

 ear-like flap which is of a deep black color; and this conspicu- 

 ous character at once proclaims the species. This fish is 

 found throughout the Great Lakes region and Mississippi 

 Valley. It sometimes attains a length of VZ inches, and a 

 weight of 13^ to 2 pounds, and in some localities it is an 

 important market fish. 



^ Eu-po-to'mis gib-bo'sus. ^ Le-po'mis pal'li-dus. 



