. The popular natural history . Zoology. 464 THE PERCH. water is usually, in consequence of evaporation, more salt than that of the sea. We now come to the large and important family of the PERCHES, which comprises many of the handsomest and most valuable fishes. The members of this family are found in all parts of the globe. The Common Perch, is well known as one of our handsomest river fish, and, on account of its boldness and the voracious manner in which it talces the bait, and the active strength with which it struggles against its captor, is a great favourite with many anglers. Moreover,
. The popular natural history . Zoology. 464 THE PERCH. water is usually, in consequence of evaporation, more salt than that of the sea. We now come to the large and important family of the PERCHES, which comprises many of the handsomest and most valuable fishes. The members of this family are found in all parts of the globe. The Common Perch, is well known as one of our handsomest river fish, and, on account of its boldness and the voracious manner in which it talces the bait, and the active strength with which it struggles against its captor, is a great favourite with many anglers. Moreover, when captured and placed in an aquarium, it very soon learns to distinguish the hand that feeds it, and will come to the surface and take food from the fingers. It has a fashion of seizing its food with a rather sharp jerk, and then snatches it away with such violence, that when it takes the hook it will drag a stout cork-float several inches below the surface, and by the force of its own stroke will mostly hook itself without any exertion on the part of the angler. Bold-biting, however, as is its reputation, there are some seasons of the year when it is almost impossible to catch a Perch, and even the shy and gently nibbling roach is an easier prey. The Perch is a truly voracious fish, feeding upon all kinds of aquatic worms, insects, and fishes, preferring the latter diet as it becomes older and larger. 'Ihe smaller fish, such as minnows, young roach, dace, and gudgeons, are terribly persecuted by the Perch, and,a bait formed of either of these fish, or a good imitation of them, will generally allure the finest Perches to the hook. Although generally in- habiting mid or deep water, it will sometimes come to the sur- face to snap up a casual fly that has fallen into the water, and on several occasions has been cap- tured by anglers when fishing with a fly for trout. Practical fishermen say that the Perch is almost the only fish which the pike does not that if a pike should ma
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
