262 FISHES OF ILLINOIS 



It is one of the best-known fishes of its area, especially to the 

 small boy. It may reach a weight of six or eight ounces and a length 

 of eight inches, although it is ordinarily much smaller. It is a "very 

 beautiful and compact little fish, perfect in all its parts, looking like 

 a brilliant coin fresh from the mint." 



The breeding habits have been described by Dr. Kirtland, who 

 says that the males prepare a circular nest by removing seeds and 

 dead aquatic plants for a space a foot in diameter, excavating to a 

 depth of 3 to 4 inches The nests are in shallow water, and are en- 

 circled by aquatic plants, space being left open for the admission 

 of light. Observations by Dr. Reighard indicate that the male alone 

 is concerned in building the nest. The weight of testimony seems 

 also to the effect that the male guards the nest and young, although 

 the female may be present.* Dr. Reighard says that the male 

 in approaching the female to induce her to enter the nest ele- 

 vates and puffs out his gill-covers and erects his ear-flaps, so that 

 there is a brilliant display of color to the female in front. He also 

 saw a similar attitude assumed by the male when threatening 

 or attacking other males. The spawning season is May to June. 



The pumpkinseed is a good pan-fish, but is not especially impor- 

 tant as a commercial product. It is sufficiently hardy to be trans- 

 ported with ease, and has been acclimatized in Europe. It is one of 

 the best of fishes for keeping ponds free from mosquitoes. 



Genus MICROPTERUS Lacepede 



(black bass) 



Body rather elongate, the back not much elevated; mouth verv large; 

 supplemental maxillary well developed; preopercle entire; operculum 

 emarginate behind; teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines; tongue usually 

 without teeth; gill-rakers long and slender; dorsal spines 10, the spinous 

 and soft dorsals confluent but divided by a deep notch ; anal spines 3 ; 

 caudal emarginate; scales weakly ctenoid. 



Key to the Species of MICROPTERUS 



a. Mouth moderate, the maxillary never extending beyond eye, usually a little 

 short of back of orbit; scales on cheeks in about 17 rows; young more or 



less barred or spotted, never with a black lateral band dolomieu. 



aa. Mouth very large, the maxillary in the adult extending past back of orbit; 

 scales on cheek large, in about 10 rows; young with a blackish lateral 

 band salmoldes. 



*Dr. Smith saw both parents by a nest as a crab approached. The female re- 

 tired while the male attacked the crab and drove him off, after which he sought the 

 female and returned with her to the nest. 



