The Sunfish Family 75 



iris. Its fins are large and strong. It grows 

 usually to eight or ten inches in length, weighing 

 from half a pound to a pound, but occasionally 

 reaches a foot in length and two or three pounds 

 in weight. Its color is bright olive-green, with 

 silvery reflections, darker on the back, and paling 

 to the belly. In some localities it is of a much 

 darker and purplish hue with brassy lustre. It is 

 profusely covered with dark spots or blotches, as 

 large as the finger-tips or " chincapins." The 

 fins are mottled with pale spots on a darker or 

 olive ground. It is gregarious, being usually 

 found in schools, and prefers clear water. It is 

 especially adapted to pond culture, and spawns 

 in spring or early summer, according to locality ; 

 it prepares its nest in sand, gravel, or on a flat 

 rock in the same way as the sunfishes. Its food 

 is the same, also, though it is more partial to 

 young fish. It is an excellent pan-fish but does 

 not excel as a game-fish, for though a very free 

 biter, it does not offer much resistance when 

 hboked. However, with very light tackle it 

 affords considerable sport, as it does not cease 

 biting, usually, until most of the school are 

 taken. 

 The usual method of angling for this fish is 



