ANNOTATED LIST OF FISHBB 



121 



millimeters long, taken in Roebuck Lake, had ingested quantities of a water weed and insects in 

 about equal amounts; the insects present were midge larvae and dragon-fly nymphs. A second 

 specimen, 152 millimeters long, from the same lake, had swallowed 20 crappies, each approximately 

 1 inch long; and a third willow cat, of 345 millimeters, also from Roebuck Lake, had taken thousands 

 of water boatmen, Corixa. The largest specimen collected, having a length of 600 millimeters, 

 had swallowed a member of its own species approximately 6 inches in length. 



The willow cat was collected at the following localities: Borrow pit, Itta Bena Road; borrow 

 pit at Wakeland; and Roebuck Lake. The borrow pits on the Itta Bena Road yielded more of this 

 species than the other localities. The species appears to be an inhabitant] of standing or sluggish 

 water only, in which it is common at Greenwood. 



19. Ameiurus nebulosus (Le Sueur) 



Common bullhead; Brown bullhead; Speckled bullhead; "Polly-woo cat" (young) 



Pimelodus nebulosus Le Sueur, Memoir., Mus. Hist. Nat., V, 1819, p. 149. 



A few dozen specimens, ranging from 85 to 350 millimeters (3^ to 14 inches) in length, were 

 preserved. The fish vary considerably in shade; that is, some are dark bluish to blackish, whereas 

 others are light olivaceous, but the mottled form (marmoratus) was not taken. The range in anal 

 rays (including rudiments) in 18 specimens is as follows: One with 20, one with 22, two with 21, 

 eight with 23, five with 24, and one with 25. 



This catfish was taken somewhat less frequently than the willow cat. Locally, it shows a prefer- 

 ence for ponds well supplied with vegetation, and in no instance was it found in running water. 



This common catfish, as shown by published accounts, has a varied diet. It is generally de- 

 scribed as being carnivorous. Forbes and Richardson (1908, p. 188), however, found specimens 

 that had fed on "distillery slops and accidental rubbish." Ten specimens examined in the Green- 

 wood collection contained mainly darkened, disintegrating plant fragments, which apparently had 

 been collected on the floor of the quiet waters in which the specimens were taken. Only one, the 

 largest, 13% inches long, had taken an appreciable amount of animal matter, and this specimen 

 contained portions of a good-sized fish. 



While this fish is known to reproduce in the spring, it is probable that the spawning period may 

 be considerably extended, as a fish 235 millimeters long, taken August 27, was approaching maturity, 

 the ovary containing approximately 3,000 eggs, which averaged 1.25 millimeters in diameter. 



With the exception of the borrow pit near the Itta Bena Road, where a large brood of young 

 fish was noticed, the bullhead was found only in small numbers at the following localities: Slough 

 near Greenwood, borrow pit at Money, borrow pits on Grenanda Road, Hadley or Allen Lake, and 

 a brickyard pond at Greenwood. 



20. Ameiurus natalis (Le Sueur) 

 Yellow cat; Yellow bullhead 



Pimelodus natalis Le Sueur, Memoir., Mus. Hist. Nat., V, 1819, p. 154. 



A single small specimen, 55 millimeters long, was secured in Hadley Lake. This species is 

 recognized principally by the long anal fin, which has 27 rays in the specimen at hand. Comparing 

 this fish with specimens of nebulosus of the same size, the head appears to be somewhat broader and 

 the tail fin is distinctly rounded in natalis, whereas it is emarginate in nebulosus. The other common 

 species, melas, to which these species are related, was not obtained. 



21. Leptops olivaris (Rafinesque) 

 "Yellow cat"; Mud cat; Goujon 



Silurus olivaris Kafinesque, American Monthly Magazine, 1818, p. 355. 



Only three small individuals, respectively 66, 75, and 305 millimeters (2%, 3, and 12^ inches) 

 in length, were taken. This species reaches a very large size, individuals weighing 75 and even 

 100 pounds having been reported. It is recognized by the extremely low, broad head; very small 

 eye, placed high on the head; projecting lower jaw; and the short anal fin, which is composed of 

 only 12 to 15 (15 in each specimen at hand) rays. 



