THE WHITING FAMILY. 



1 1 1 



in length, possess a number of dark blotches along the upper 

 half, somewhat similar to those in the next species to be 

 mentioned the Trumpeter Whiting; but at no time are 

 these blotches so pronounced, or so extensive, as in the last- 

 mentioned Whiting. This is not generally known and is 

 important to note, as many people are inclined offhand to 

 regard these baby Sand-Whitings as Trumpeter Whitings. 

 This species attains a weight of about 2 l /> pounds, speci- 

 mens of i pound to \y 2 pound being not at all uncommon. 



Fig. 41. TRUMPETER WHITING (SiUago macuhita). 



The Trumpeter Whiting is principally an inhabitant 

 of the waters of New South Wales and Queensland. There 

 is one record of its occurrence in Western Australia. In 

 its habits, this fish is still more of an estuarine or harbour 

 fish than the preceding, living in moderately-deep water and 

 preferring "muddy-sandy" bottoms. It is not by any means 

 what might be termed an "outside" fish ; though no doubt 

 occasional specimens might be obtained, particularly in 

 localities like the offing at Broken Bay. where a great amount 

 of silt is deposited from the Hawkesbury River. 



[In passing, here, I must state that the Whiting- 

 obtained by means of the trawl-net from the "Thetis" in 

 1898 and which was identified at the time as "Trumpeter 

 Whiting," was not this species at all but another and a 

 totally different species Sillago basscusis. This is the. 

 Whiting which occurs commonly in Tasmanian waters. It 

 is exceedingly abundant on the coast of New South Wales, 

 in water ranging from a few fathoms, down to the great 

 depth of nearly 90 fathoms (540 feet). In Port Jackson, 

 at the mouth of which this species is usually abundant in, 

 the summer months, it is known as School Whiting". 



