THE PARROT-FISHES OR WRASSES. 147 



a very much smaller kind of Rock Whiting which inhabits 

 our waters. This is a, comparatively, dull-coloured little 

 fish, growing to only a few inches in length and being found 

 more commonly amongst weeds or rocks near the entrances 

 to our inlets. This species is the Little Rock- Whiting 

 (Oda.v balteatns), known in Tasmania as the Kelp-Fish. 



The Herring-Kale : This is one of the commonest 

 of New South Wales and Victorian "rock-fish," being found 

 also in Western Australia. 



There are two forms of this species ; the one being a 

 dark blue-black, while the other is of a rich reddish-brown 

 with beautiful orange and blue mottlings all over the body. 

 The former is the male, and the latter is the female (this 

 being, also, usually the larger). Some time ago it was 

 thought that these were distinct species; and, in fact, they 

 were described as such; but, that idea was found to be 

 incorrect. 



Though the dark colour spoken of is the proper livery 

 of the male sex, I have seen and handled one large speci- 

 men of a male which possessed all the colours of the female.* 

 But this is of very unusual occurrence. 



The Herring-Kale abounds in similar situations to those 

 inhabited by the Rock Whiting but is, perhaps, more com- 

 mon, than the latter. It is seldom taken by hook and line ; 

 one reason being that it is, generally speaking, of a more 

 herbivorous nature; subsisting largely upon gelatinous sea- 

 weeds. 



As an edible fish, this species possesses considerable 

 value, being of good flavour and consistency. Only a better 

 knowledge of its edible value is awaited, to ensure its con- 

 sumption as food, on a very much larger scale than at pre- 

 sent ; and the supply both present and prospective is prac- 

 tically without limit. 



In the capture of this fish, the proper gear to employ, is 

 the trammel-net. 



The Herring- Kale grows to a length of about 18 inches. 



The following fuller description of the colours in each sex 

 will be found of value : In the male the body is of a uniform 



* This specimen is in the collection of the Department of Fisheries, 

 New South Wales. 



