THE HAR VEST EISHES. 



225 



around them. Their stomachs were found to contain amphipod crusta- 

 ceans, hydroids, and young squids. They are doubtless to some degree 

 protected by the spars under which they congregate, in the same manner 

 as their kindred, the Butter-fish, which swim under the disk of the 

 jelly-fish. Their colors undergo considerable change from time to time, 

 possibly at the will of the fish. 



The Rudder-fish attains the length of ten or twelve inches, and is 

 excellent eating. DeKay states that the fishermen of New York, in 1S42, 

 called this species the "Snip-nosed Mullet," but this name does not 

 appear to have become permanent. 



The Rudder-fish occasionally follows ships across the Atlantic. A sin- 

 gle individual was taken at Penzance, in Cornwall, in October, 1879, and 

 is now in the collection of Sir John St. Aubyn, at "Michaels Mount." 



