. The American natural history; a foundation of useful knowledge of the higher animals of North America. Natural history. CHAPTER XLVI THE ORDER OF PIKES IIA I'L OMI After the Order of Spiny-Finned Fishes, with its great array of genera and species, it is a relief to reach an Order which contains but one Family, and only five species. The so-called Yellow "Pike" is not a member of this aristo- cratic and exclusive Family; for, as already stated, it is only a pike-pcrc/). Look at any member of the Pike Family, and tell me whether it does not make j'ou think of a pirate. Observe that y
. The American natural history; a foundation of useful knowledge of the higher animals of North America. Natural history. CHAPTER XLVI THE ORDER OF PIKES IIA I'L OMI After the Order of Spiny-Finned Fishes, with its great array of genera and species, it is a relief to reach an Order which contains but one Family, and only five species. The so-called Yellow "Pike" is not a member of this aristo- cratic and exclusive Family; for, as already stated, it is only a pike-pcrc/). Look at any member of the Pike Family, and tell me whether it does not make j'ou think of a pirate. Observe that ya^^'ning sepulchre of a. THE mouth, that evil eye, and low, flat forehead— all indicating a character replete with curniing and ferocity. Note the total absence of a digni- fied and respectable front dorsal fin, which nearly every fish of proper moral character possesses and displays with pride. Like scaly assassins, the ])ikes and pickerels lie in wait for their prey; and whenever one rushes like a green streak from under the lily- pads, and bolts a trolling-spoon in one great, ill-mannered gulp, the angler feels a savage de- light in thinking that it serves him right. These fishes are the most voracious creatures that in- habit our inland waters. Their ambition is to devour every living creature that comes in sight, and they prey upon all other fishes, frogs and amphibians generall}', ducklings, other small acjuatic birds, and also small acjuatie mammals. Worse than this, thej^ even devour their o^Yn kind. That they are found living with the bass, perch and other fishes is generall}' due to the fact that it is impossible for them to devour all their neighbors. The Pike' is a fish of very wide—almost world-wide—distribution. Li America it is found from Kodiak Island, Alaska, southward through British Columbia, Canada, the ujiper Mississippi \-alley and the Ctreat Lakes region, to Europe and Asia. Dr. .Jordan says ("Food and Game ") that it
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