Fish Chub, Shiner and Dace 
very fond of earth worms, and other small water 
creatures. Meal worms also may be given; and 
ground fish food and crissel will be eaten in small 
quantities; only the larger scraps of these foods 
should be given. 
MINNOWS 
How silent comes the water round that bend; 
Not the minutest whisper does it send 
To the o’er hanging sallows; blades of grass 
Slowly across the chequer ’d shadows pass, 
Why, you might read two sonnets, ere they reach 
‘To where the hurrying freshnesses aye preach 
A natural sermon o’er their pebbly beds; 
Where swarms of minnows show their little heads, 
Staying their wavy bodies ’gainst the streams, 
To taste the luxury of sunny beams 
Tempered with coolness. How they ever wrestle 
With their own sweet delight, and ever nestle 
Their silver bellies on the pebbly sand! 
If you but scantily hold out the hand, 
That very instant not one will remain; 
But turn your eye, and there they are again. 
The ripples seem right glad to reach those cresses, 
And cool themselves among the em’rald tresses; 
The while they cool themselves, they freshness give, 
And moisture, that the bowery green may live. 
—John Keats. 
236 
