NATURAL HISTORY, TORONTO REGION 
During the hot summer months the Perch of shallow, 
weedy waters become soft and lose their fine flavour. 
To anglers accustomed to Black Bass and Lunge it 
is rather an insignificant species, but it has this to 
recommend it, that it can be caught by anybody, 
with any sort of tackle, at all times of the year. The 
Perch spawns in early spring, and the eggs, which 
are very small, are enclosed in a long, narrow trans- 
lucent strip of adhesive mucus. 
45. Tessellated Darter. Boleosoma nigrum olm- 
stedi (Storer).—Common in all streams and sandy 
bays. 
46. Blue Darter. Rainbow Darter. Etheostoma 
coeruleum (Storer).—Gayest of all the Darters, and, 
indeed, the gaudiest of all fresh-water fishes. It 
makes its home in the ripples and shallows of the 
rivers and in the shady retreats of brooks. In the 
vicinity of Toronto this fish is rare. I have found it 
only in two streams on the eastern side of the district. 
SERRANIDAE. 
47. White Bass. Roccus chrysops (Rafinesque). 
—The White Bass is taken occasionally in Toronto 
Bay and at the mouth of the Humber River. It is 
gregarious, usually swimming in shoals containing 
a large number of individuals. As a game fish it 
ranks high, for it takes minnow bait readily, and 
during the summer months rises to a fly well. It is 
an excellent table fish when fresh caught. It spawns 
in May or June. 
270 
