432 KATUEAL HISTORY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



Pontchartrain until the "Bonnet Carr6 crevasse" changed the water from salt to fresh. Mr. Stearns, 

 having investigated the subject, is of the opinion that they are mistaken.' The habits of this fish 

 have been but little observed; in fact, it has been the custom of nearly all writers on our fishes to 

 speaks lightingly of it. It found an earnest advocate in Mr. Thaddeus Norris, who, after protest- 

 ing strenuously against the statement of various writers that it is rarely brought to market for 

 food, that it is only fit for chowder, that it is not of sufftcient importance to merit particular notice, 

 and so on, goes on to state, what is undoubtedly true, that in season the White Perch is the pan- 

 fish, excelled by none of the Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Norfolk, and Richmond markets; 

 and he might have added, had he been writing at the present time, of the New York market also, 

 for there is, probably, no fish of its size which is more universally popular throughout the Eastern 

 States than the White Perch. In a single paragraph Mr. Norris, who, though he made no profes- 

 sions of scientific skill, has been one of our best observers of fishes, has given almost the only 

 reliable information which has ever been collected regarding this species. "Its most natural 

 habitat is in fresh tidal rivers, where it is found on flat clay and muddy bottoms, and in shallow 

 water. It is frequently found far above the terminus of the tide, and is often more abundant in 

 fresh than in brackish water in the season of the year when sought for by anglers. This fish, when 

 found in salt-water creeks, is darker in color, but there is no specific difference. The White Perch 

 is a congener of the magnificent Eock-flsh, and is frequently found feeding in the same place and in 

 his company. Its average length is eight or nine inches; it is not often more than twelve, though 

 in rare instances it is found fourteen inches long. 



" White Perch hibernate in the deep waters of our bays, and ascend the fresh tidal rivers soon 

 after the ice and snow-water have run off. They feed greedily on the spawn of other fish, particu- 

 larly that of the shad ; on insects, crabs, minnows, and on the migratory schools of young eels 

 which are found in the months of April and May in great numbers at any rapid or dam obstruct- 

 ing the upward flow of the tide. Perch usually spawn in May and then resort to deeper waters to 

 recuperate, and all summer long are found by the angler ever swimming around the deep-sunk 

 pier or the timbers of the rickety old bridge, snapping at shrimps or chasing the minnows; at 

 flood tide high up amongst the water-lilies, and never refusing a bait, if of the right sort and prop- 

 erly presented."* 



Dr. C. 0. Abbott has added some important observations. He found female fish heavy with 

 apparently ripe ova as late as June 10. The largest specimens of White Perch taken in the Del- 

 aware weighed, respectively, one pound nine ounces, one pound thirteen ounces, and two pounds 

 one ounce. These were caught in a shad net in May, 1865, at the fishery opposite Trenton. The 

 average adult fish may be said to measure eight inches and weigh from seven to nine ounces. He 

 continues: "I believe, for reasons to be given, that the growth of the young is very rapid, and 

 that the August Perch are young hatched late in the preceding May and April ; in June these 

 August Perch measuring about two and a half to three inches in length. ... I should judge 

 that spawning occurred between May 10 and June 10, usually nearer the former than the latter 

 date. This is based on the fact of having gathered very young fish, the age of which I guessed 

 trom the general condition and amount of development of the specimens. After the middle of 

 June the White Perch are found in localities widely different; even waters with a dense growth of 

 lily and river weed are found to contain them in apparent health and vigor — spots where the Eock- 

 fish could not live a day. Still later in the summer, as the young Perch become quite strong and 



' Certainly the Bonnet Carr6 crevasse never drove the White Perch out of Lake Pontchartrain. That lake now 

 contains small Sharks, Trygon, Pogonias Bairdiella, and hosts of fish of salt-water habits, with less liking for fresh 

 water than the White Perch. — D. S. Jordan. 



'American Angler's Book, p. 90. 



