114 RESH-WATER FISHES OF NEW JERSEY. 
a young pig, more so than cat-fish have been known to do 
under similar circumstances, and showing greater indications 
of “a voice" than does the chub, which Cope says “utters a 
chirruping and croaking noise.” 
The Gar (Lepidosteus osseus). During the past summer 
while walking on the banks of Crosswicks Creek, we were 
attracted by a decided commotion in the water, and on near- 
ing the spot found a young gar, probably eighteen inches 
long, surrounded by and evidently harrassed by a dozen or 
more Bill-fish ( Belone longirostris). It soon disappeared by 
sinking out of sight, but reappeared soon near the shore, 
giving us an opportunity of watching it. It remained as 
Fig. 33. 
Gar pike, Lepidosteus osseus. 
motionless as an Hsox for several minutes, and on the ap- 
proach of a minnow would come as near the shore as possi- 
ble, moving steadily backwards. If the fish came to about 
where the gar previously had been, it was seized in an 
instant, and the Zepidosteus would remain motionless until 
the approach of another Minnow would cause it to again 
draw back. We finally interrupted this “play” in an attempt 
to shoot the specimen. This fish we should judge was yearly 
becoming more scarce in the basin of the Delaware. 
The Darters (Zheostomoide) as a class have been the 
most difficult to collect and study. They are with us in 
most streams exceedingly abundant, as also in the river 
itself. Lying motionless upon the flat stones or compact 
sand they readily escape detection, except by experts. As 
yet we have not made as elaborate a collection as we desire, 
but are satisfied we can show in this family some instances 
of wide geographical range, and one or more undescribed 
species, 
