68 
This Cat-fish (pages 45-46), which should not be confused with 
its marine namesake, is a native of North America where it is very 
common. It is remarkable for the eight long barbels which surround 
the mouth, and for its very small eyes. Cat-fish are nocturnal in 
their habits, lying in the mud during the day and feeding usually at 
night. The skin is slimy, much like that of an eel, and is of about 
the same colour. 
Eels (pages 47-48), are so unlike all other fish that no distinguish- 
ing formula is necessary for their identification. They are as a rule 
carnivorous and particularly voracious, and live in the day-time in 
the mud, with just their heads visible above it. At night they come 
out in large numbers to feed, and frequently work great havoc in 
trout streams stocked with young fish. It is almost impossible to 
keep the eels out as they will often leave their native waters and 
travel considerable distances wherever the grass is wet to some 
neighbouring pond or stream. In living out of water they even 
surpass the powers of the tench. 
Bullhead (pages 49-50), are curious little fish, which inhabit clear 
streams containing plenty of stones under which they spend the 
greater portion of their time. On each of the gill-covers this fish has 
a sharp spike. As soon as it is in danger these spines are thrust 
outward so that they stick in the throat of any bird attempting to 
swallow it. As a rule of course the bird quickly ejects its prey, 
but there are instances of water-birds being choked by these fish. 
Miller's Thumb is another name for this species. 
Perch (pages 51-53). are considered by many to be the most hand- 
some of afl our British fishes. The colour is usually a light olive 
with six transverse bars of a darker tint, while the under fins and tail 
are a bright red. Perch are the commonest representatives of a 
family of fishes all of which have two distinct parts to the dorsal fin. 
The front portion contains stiff rays with sharp spikes at the tips, 
while the other part consists of the ordinary soft rays like those 
found in the fins of other fishes. Whenever any member of this 
family is disturbed it immediately raises this prickly fin, thereby 
rendering itself a painful morsel to any bird or like enemy This 
dodge usually secures these fish immunity from further persecution 
where other kinds are as easily obtainable. Our illustrations show 
the perch and pope with their prickly fins erect, as when threatened 
with danger, and also as usually carried when undisturbed. All the 
members of the perch family are carnivorous, feeding on smaller fish, 
worms and water insects. 
Pope (pages 54-56), are in many ways similar to perch, but they 
are of a very sombre brownish tint somewhat like that of a gudgeon. 
The dorsal fins merge into one another and are not distinct like those 
of a perch. 
Sun-fish (pages 57-58), inhabit the warmer parts of North 
America and it was from there they originally came to this country. 
This fish, whose general colour is a mottled bluish tint, may be 
known from the other basses by the presence on the gill-covers of a 
spot which resembles the eye on a peacock’s feather. 
Rock Bass (pages 59-60), or Red-eyes as they are sometimes 
called, are much like sun-fish, but their ground colour is brownish 
and the eyes are a bright red. They, too, are inhabitants of North 
America. 
There is another kind of perch found on the continent, and 
especially in Russia, which, on account of its long narrow body 
