TELEOSTEANS
ACANTHOPTERYGII
1. Perch. Perca fluviatilis, Linn.
These are among the most highly esteemed of the fish found in the Thames, the Colne and the Thame. They are most plentiful in the first named river, but do not attain the large weights which were not uncommon some twenty years ago. The writer was acquainted with two anglers, both dead now, who had caught several perch weighing 3 lb. in the Thames bordering Buckingham- shire. At the present day a fish of 2lb. is considered a remarkably fine specimen. For edible purposes the perch of the Thames take a high rank, and are considered by some superior to Thames trout. There would without doubt be ten times as many perch in the Thames as there are if the numbers of swans and tame ducks which are allowed to be on the river during the spawning sea- son could be materially reduced. Perch de- posit their spawn on weeds and very near the surface, where it lies an easy prey to water- fowl. In the spawning season ducks may be seen working up and down the banks of the river devouring every ribbon of spawn which has been deposited, and it is surprising under the circumstances that perch have not been wholly exterminated.
2. Ruffe (Pope). Acerina cernua, Linn.
This fish is fairly common in the Thames. It is not specially fished for on account of its small size, though it is a sweet little fish on the table.
3. Miller's Thumb (Bullhead). Cottus gobio, Linn.
Wherever there is a clear flowing brook, and in some parts of the Thames and its larger tributaries, these fish are found.
HEMIBRANCHII
4. Three-spined Stickleback. Gastresteus acuieatus, Linn.
This is a common fish in all the waters of the county, particularly in the stagnant por- tions of them. It is an extremely harmful fish to have in rivers, and should be destroyed wherever possible, as it feeds largely on the fry of other fish. The writer has seen it clear a globe full of bleak fry in the course of a few minutes.
5. Ten-spined Stickleback. Gastrosteus pungitius, Linn.
This little fish is found in the county. An instance was recorded in The Field on
January, 1902, when the Rev. J. P.
Langley of Olney, north Bucks, stated that he had captured a specimen and kept it in his aquarium for some time.
HAPLOMI
6. Pike (Jack). Esox lucius, Linn.
The pike fishing in Buckinghamshire is among the best in the kingdom, the Thames yielding annually a very fair number of large fish. Since trailing was abolished by the Conservators at the request of the fishery preservation associations pike have certainly increased in numbers, but their average size is not nearly so great as it was a quarter of a century ago. In the Colne and Thame pike are less numerous than in the Thames.
OSTARIOPHYSI
7. Carp. Cyprinus carpio, Linn.
The Thames contains a few of these fish which are caught occasionally. It is believed that they have found their way into the river by escaping from ponds and lakes during floods. They are found in several private sheets of water in the county, and grow to a considerable size.
8. Gudgeon. Gobio fluviatilis, Flem. The Thames, particularly the portion in Buckinghamshire, has long been noted for its gudgeon fishing. It is practically the only river where this little fish is systematically angled for from punts. It is feared that owing to over-fishing, and the injury done to the eggs of the fish by the steam traffic, the gudgeon has seriously decreased in num- bers. Certainly not nearly so many are now caught as was the case ten or fifteen years ago. Thames gudgeon run to a large size, and are highly esteemed as breakfast fish at Thames- side hotels.
9. Roach. Leuciscus rutilus. Linn.
The roach of the Colne run to a consider- able size, and are somewhat finer in their proportions than those in the Thames. In many ponds and lakes, and in the Thames, Colne and Thame the fish are plentiful, and many thousands are taken out by anglers in the course of the year. Like all other Thames fish they are strictly preserved during the spawning season.
10. Rudd. Leuciscus erythrophthalmus. Linn. It is doubtful whether any of these fish are still to be found in the Thames, but they are
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