1 2 8 AMERICAN FISHES. 



what reason it is difficult to understand, for the Whiting of Bermuda at the 

 present day is a fish very unlike that of our Southern coast. 



The " Surf Whiting," according to Jordan, is not rare at Charleston, 

 and in the Gulf of Mexico is as common as the other species, but is chiefly 

 found in the surf, and hence is less frequently brought into the markets. 



Speaking of the game qualities of the two species, S. C. Clarke writes 

 that they bite much like the trout, seizing the bait with a rush — that they 

 are strong and active, and make a good fight for their size. He recom- 

 mends a trout bait rod, fine line, reel, and two small hooks. For bait he 

 uses cut mullet and fishes on or near the bottom of a sandy strong-tided 

 channel, at half tide. 



The Bagre, Menticirrus undulatus, is an allied form, member of our 

 Pacific family. It reaches a length of twenty inches, and a weight of four 

 or five pounds. It is found close to shore from Point Conception south- 

 ward to Cerros Island, and is generally abundant. It feeds on crustacea, 

 spawns in July, and is a food-fish of fair quality. In appearance and in 

 value it approaches closely to the Surf Whiting of the Atlantic, M. lit- 

 toralus. 



The Queen-fish, Seriphus polilus, is also known as "King-fish" in 

 California. It reaches, says Jordan, a length of eight inches, and a weight 

 of half a pound. It ranges from Tomales Bay southward, and is abundant 

 in summer, when it is found in great numbers in the surf along sandy 

 shores. Enormous numbers of them are sometimes taken in seines, 

 especially at Santa Barbara and Soquel. It is not often brought into the 

 San Francisco market. It feeds on small fishes and crustaceans. It 

 spawns in summer. It is a food-fish of excellent quality, but is too small to 

 possess much economic value. 



