FRESH-WATER FISHES OF NEW JERSEY. 101 
of its species, and those remaining, represented by but few 
individuals; while percoids, heretofore wanting, appeared in 
the shape of Banded Sunfish (Bryttus chetodon), and Spot- 
ted-finned Sunfish (B. punctatus) ; also a few specimens of 
the Pirate (Aphrodederus Sayanus) were met with. 
A third instance of alteration in the fauna, with no change 
in the bulk of water, occurred in the Shabbaconk Creek, a 
creek flowing into the Assunpink, which latter is dammed 
at its mouth, effectually preventing fish, leaving this creek, 
from returning to it. In this instance, the Aphrodederus 
Sayanus, which, for several seasons previous to 1867, had 
been abundant, suddenly disappeared. We have searched 
for them repeatedly since, but never have taken a single 
specimen. In the Assunpink Creek, where these “pirates” 
it would seem must have gone to, we have also carefully 
searched, but its extensive basin has not yet furnished a 
single specimen. 
Such experiences of one familiar with these waters for fif- 
teen years, explain why it is that different visitors in a few 
years examination of a stream or neighborhood, will in their 
reports differ considerably. One’s own notes may be very 
inconsistent, on comparing those of any year with that of the 
preceding or following season. Even to the smaller cypri- 
noids, that are, we would suppose indisposed, if able, to 
migrate, we have applied the terms "abundant," “rare,” 
"numerous," "scarce," at different times. More frequently 
these contradictory “remarks” were jotted down with ref- 
erence to the occupants of small streams, but not altogether 
so. It is our custom now to look upon the contents of — 
any one stream as but very imperfectly showing the fauna 
of that neighborhood, for two water-courses similar in all 
respects to the eye, may have no species common to each, 
although but two or three miles distant. In concluding 
what we have to say under this head — of changes in 
faung— we would call attention to our experience in find- 
ing ourselves apparently or really in error. Frequently 
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