66 
BLEAK. 
JBleale, 
Cyprinus alburnus. 
WiLlOTJGHBY; p. 263. 
Linn/ecs. Bloch i pi. 8. 
Donovan; pi. 18. Jenyns; Manual, p. 414. 
CtJViEB. Fleming; Br. Animals, p. 188. 
Takbell; Br. Fishes, vol. i, p. 419. 
The Bleak is a little lively and sportive fish, and is found 
in a large proportion of the rivers of the midland counties of 
England, in company with some others of the smaller species 
of this family, although it swims generally at a higher elevation 
in the water than they. But although perhaps as widely 
distributed as any of them, it is not a native of Ireland, and 
doubt exists as regards Scotland also. Sibbald is quoted by 
Fleming as assigning it to that portion of the United Kingdom, 
but it appears that the last named Scottish naturalist had not 
for himself a knowledge of the fact. It is not known in 
Cornwall or Devonshire; but is common on the Continent of 
Europe, and Nilsson says they abound in Sweden, as they do 
indeed in every situation in which they exist. We may 
conclude, therefore, that this fish is exceedingly prolific, as 
they are also social in a high degree; for they commonly keep 
in considerable schools, as they play at the surface or seek for 
food; and as they eagerly seize such insects and worms as 
come in their way, they offer easy sport to young anglers 
The poet Ausonius notices this when he represents his Alburnos 
as affording “prsedam puerilibus hands,” — a prize to the hooks 
of little boys. 
They shed their spawn early in June, in shallow water; and 
Nilsson observes that the oldest and largest are the first to 
perform this function. At this time, he says, the water seems 
alive with them ; and the young ones are of quick growth from 
the egg. Contrary to what is known of several of the larger 
