sometimes forming a soiid mass of bodies across the stream. Spawning itseif generaiiy occurs under the cover of darkness and, when possibie, many of the fish drop downstream to deeper waters during dayiight. Spawning is a dangerous period for the smeit as many are taken by men and other predators during this time. The eggs are deposited in enormous quantities - from 7,000 to 60,000 per femaie, depending upon her size - and adhere to whatever surface they contact. The aduits that survive spawning then return to sait water. Water temperature determines the 1ength of time it takes the eggs to hatch and, once hatched, the fry drift downstream with the current to the estuary. By September the fry may be 2 inches in 1enqth. Most smeit mature by the time they reach 2 to 3 years of age but oniy rareiy live to be as 01d as 6 years.

References: Leim, A.H. and N.B. Scott. 1966. Fishes of the At1antic Coast of Canada. Fisheries Res. Board of Can. Buii. no. 155. Ottawa. 485 p. Scott, w.B. and E.J. Crossman. 1973. Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Fisheries Res. Board of Can. Buii. no. 184. Ottawa. 966 p.

BIRD REPORT

Great Biue Heron - 1 in Vernon on Nov. 15 (JH).

Canada Goose - 65 in Kensington on Nov. 4 (AS).

Maiiard - 4 off Queen Elizabeth Dr. in Ch'town on Dec. 30 (AD).

Biack Duck - 500 off Queen Elizabeth Dr. in Ch'town on Dec. 30 (AD).

Barrow's Goideneye - 30 m at West River Causeway on Dec. 27 (AD).

Oidsguaw - 23 at Big Pond in Ciearsprings on Nov. 28 (GM).

Goshawk — 1 in Covehead on Dec. 29 (mw,cw).

Bald Eagie - 1 at Nest River Causeway on Dec. 27 (GGH gt_al,).

Ruffed Grouse s 1 in Mi11town Cross on Nov. 28 and 1 in St. Mary's Road on Dec. 9

and Jan. 4 (WEC). Gray Partridge - 15 in Ebeneezer on Dec. 8 (RM).

Snowy 0w) - 1 in the Brackiey Beach area in iate Dec. and eariy Jan. (DK and others).

Beited Kingfisher - 1 on Nov. 11 and 1 f on Jan. 3 at Knox's Dam in Head of ontague JH .

Gray Jay - 1 at Cardross on Dec. 21 (SW).

ngig - 1 in Montague on Nov. 15 (PH,VN).

Goiden-crowned Kingiet - 2 in Ninsioe North in eariy Dec. (GP).

Common Grackie - 2 in Montague on Dec. 16 (SH).

Rufous-sided Towhee - 1 in East Royaity Dec. 15 to eariy Jan. (CH,MN).

Song Sparrow - 1 at Pooie's Corner on Nov. 11 (JN)._ Grey Seai - 1 at Big Pond in Clearsprinqs on Nov. 28 (GM).

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