FOREST, FISH AND GAM£ COMMISSION. 



325 



Head 4%; depth 4 in adult males, 4% to 5 in the female and young ; eye 4}^; 

 D. 8; A. 8; scales 5-38 to 40-3; teeth 1,4-4,1, the edges more or less distinctly 

 serrate. 



Body moderately elongate, considerably compressed, the dorsal and ventral out- 

 lines regularly and gently arched ; head rather small, quite oblique, the lower jaw 

 received within the upper when the mouth is closed. 



Color, leaden silvery, bluish in the males ; edges of scales dusky ; a dark verte- 

 bral line ; a large black spot on the upper posterior part of the dorsal fin ; paired fins 

 and lower part of belly, as well as tips of anal and caudal, and front and upper parts 



SILVER-FIN. 



of dorsal fin, charged with clear, satin-white pigment in males in spring; in full breed- 

 ing dress the dorsal has a greenish luster ; no creamy band at base of caudal ; males 

 with the head and front covered with small tubercles. 



Common ^3itverSide, — Notropls cormitns (Mitchlll). 



This is one of the minnows first described by Senator Mitchill. His specimens 

 were obtained from the Wallkill River, and Red-fin is the common name by which 

 he mentioned them. Silverside, Shiner and Dace are other names by which it is 

 known. 



The Common Silverside is a species of very wide distribution, its habitat 

 embracing the entire region east of the Rocky Mountains excepting the South 

 Atlantic and Gulf States. Throughout its extensive range it is in most streams 

 an abundant and well-known fish.- It prefers the smaller streams, but may be found 

 in the lakes and rivers as well. It is a vigorous, active fish that frequents the rapids 

 and swifter parts of the streams. In all small brooks and in quiet places in every 

 river the young will be found in myriads. It reaches a length of 5 to 10 inches, 

 and is one of the largest and most conspicuous of our eastern CypriiiidcE. It takes 

 the worm-baited hook with avidity and is one of the minnows most frequenth^ seen 



