. The history of birds : their varieties and oddities, comprising graphic descriptions of nearly all known species of birds, with fishes and insects, the world over, and illustrating their varied habits, modes of life, and distinguishing peculiarities by means of delightful anecdotes and spirited engravings . 468 THE BARBEL DEVIL FISH. logether witli other, fish, it generally devours some of its felloT?prisoners—a useless act, for the fishermen mostly open its stomach,and recapture the flounders and other fish found in its THE BARBEL. The Barbel is found in most of the European rive
. The history of birds : their varieties and oddities, comprising graphic descriptions of nearly all known species of birds, with fishes and insects, the world over, and illustrating their varied habits, modes of life, and distinguishing peculiarities by means of delightful anecdotes and spirited engravings . 468 THE BARBEL DEVIL FISH. logether witli other, fish, it generally devours some of its felloT?prisoners—a useless act, for the fishermen mostly open its stomach,and recapture the flounders and other fish found in its THE BARBEL. The Barbel is found in most of the European rivers. Its flesh i^ course and unsavory, but itis eagerly sought after byanglers, as the spirit andvigor displayed by it whenhooked afford fine sport. Itis peculiarly apt at breakingthe line, a feat sometimesaccomplished by a violentblow of the tail, and some-times by contriving to twisttlie line round a root or post, and giving a sudden jerk. It feeds principally on larvae and molluscs, inhabiting the banks, andobtains them by rooting in the sand with its snout. The Barbels, orbeards, hanging from the upper jaw doubtless assist in these investiga-tions. It frequently grows to a very great size, weighing from fifteentO eighteen pounds, and measuring upwards of three feet in length,^any are captured by nets during the summer, at which season theyfrequent the weedy parts of the river in shoals; but in winter theyft-tire to the shelter afforded by banks and old woodwork. Severalg-Dod swimmers have been known to dive after the Barbe
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectzoology
