SWAPPERS AND RED-MOUTHS. 



81 



closely related genus is the " Hog-fish," or " Grunt," of the Chesapeake, 

 and called also " Pig-fish " or " Grunt " in the Gulf of Mexico, and " Pork- 

 fish " and " Whiting" at Key West, and known in South Carolina and 

 the St. John's River, Fla., as well as in Bermuda under the name of 

 "Sailor's Choice. Its colors are as follows: Above, pale brown: 

 belly, silvery ; sides marked with numerous orange-colored or yellow 

 spots ; those above the lateral line disposed in irregular oblique lines,, 

 those below it in horizontal rows. Dorsal, anal and caudal fins with 

 similar spots ; sides of the head pale bluish with a silvery tint and marked 

 with yellow spots ; lower jaw, orange at the angle of the mouth ; internal 

 surface of the gill membrane bright orange." 



THE NORFOLK HOG-ITSM. 



This species was first described by Mitchill from a specimen taken in 

 the bay of New York. The National Museum lias main- specimens from 

 various parts of the Southern coast and the Gulf of Mexico. "In New 

 York," wrote DeKay in 1842, "this is a rare fish, but occasionally ap- 

 pearing, as I am informed, in our harbor in considerable numbers. It is 

 a very savory food." Prof. Baird did not find it on the coast of New 

 Jersey in 1854. It occurs in the salt water of the lower part of the Chesa- 

 peake Bay, and is much esteemed for food, being perhaps the most popu- 

 lar pan-fish of the Lower Chesapeake. 



At Beaufort, N. C, where it is also called •• Hog-fish,'" according to 

 Jordan, it is extremely common everywhere in the harbor. Holbn 

 wrote about 1 S60 : "The ' Sailor's Choice ' makes its appearance in our 



