3 6 
AMERICAN FISHES . 
The habits of this fish have been but little observed ; in fact, it has 
been the custom of nearly all writers on game fishes to speak lightly of it. 
It found an earnest advocate in Mr. Thaddeus Norris, who, after protest¬ 
ing strenuously against the statement of various writers that it is rarely 
brought to market for food; that it is only fit for chowder; that it is not 
of sufficient importance to merit particular notice, and so on, goes on to 
state, what is undoubtedly true, that in season the White Perch is the pan¬ 
fish, excelled by none in the Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Norfolk 
and Richmond markets ; and he might have added, had he been writing 
at the present time, of the New York market also, for there is, probably, 
no fish of its size which is more universally popular throughout the Eastern 
States than the White Perch. 
In a single paragraph, Mr. Norris, who, making no professions of 
scientific skill, has been one of our best observers of fishes, has given 
almost the only reliable information which has ever been collected regard¬ 
ing this species. “ Its most natural habitat is in fresh tidal rivers, where 
it is found on flat clay and muddy bottoms, and in shallow water. It is 
frequently found far above the terminus of the tide, and is often more 
abundant in fresh than in brackish water in the season of the year when 
sought for by anglers. This fish, when found in salt water creeks, is 
darker in color, but there is no specific difference. The White Perch is a 
congener of the magnificent rock-fish, and is frequently found feeding in the 
same place and in his company. Its average length is eight or nine inches ; 
it is not often more than twelve, though in rare instances it is found four¬ 
teen inches long. White Perch hibernate in the deep waters of our bays, 
and ascend the fresh tidal rivers soon after the ice and snow-water have 
run off. They feed greedily on the spawn of other fish, particularly that 
of the shad; on insects, crabs, minnows and on the migratory schools of 
young eels which are found in the months of April and May in great 
numbers at any rapid or dam obstructing the upward flow of the tide. 
Perch usually spawn in May, and then resort to deeper waters to recuperate, 
and all summer long are found by the angler, ever swimming around the 
deep-sunk pier or the timbers of the rickety old bridge, snapping at 
shrimps or chasing the minnows ; at flood-tide high up amongst the water- 
lilies, and never refusing a bait, if of the right sort and properly presented. ’ ’ 
Dr. C. C. Abbott has added some important observations. He found 
female fish heavy with apparently ripe ova as late as June io. The largest 
