shyness, and by the necessity of approaching closely in order to obtain any accurate view. The spawning, feeding, swimming and other habits of very few of our fishes are so well known that further information thereon is not needed; and the boy scout's patience, skill, and powers of observation will be reflected in the records that may be and should be kept about the different
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fishes met with. Fishes may be studied from a bank, wharf, or boat, or by wading; and the view Of the bottom and the fishes on or adjacent thereto maybe greatly improved by the use of a "water bucket" — an ordinary wooden pail whose bottom is replaced by a piece of window glass. A more elaborate arrangement for observation is to provide at the bow of a row-boat a glass bottom box over which may be thrown a hood so that the student is invisible to the fishes.
Identification of Specimens
While many of the fishes in a given section are easily recognizable, there are in every water fishes which, on account of their smal1 size, rarity, retiring habits, or close similarity to other fishes, are unknown to the average boy. These latter fishes often afford the most interesting subjects for study; and in all Parts of the country it is possible for energetic observers
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and collectors to add to the list of fishes already recorded from particular districts.
When fishes cannot be identified in the field, the larger ones may be sketched and notes taken on their color, while the smaller ones may be preserved with salt, formalin, or any kind of spirits. Specimens and drawings may be forwarded for identification to the zoo1ogical department of the local state university, to the state fish commission, to the Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D.C., or to the United States National Museum in the same city.
