3 o 4 AMERICAN FISHES. 



the small animals upon which they feed. In Southern New England there 

 are two species, P. palmipes and P. cvolans, the latter distinguished by the 

 presence of dark stripes upon its sides. These attain the length of fifteen 

 to eighteen inches and a weight of one and a quarter to two pounds. 

 They have excellent food qualities, but are eaten, so far as we have 

 record, only in the vicinity of Hartford, Conn., where they are known as 

 " Wing-fish." They are taken in great quantities in the pound-nets along 

 the Vineyard Sound, especially the unstriped species, the habits of which 

 are better understood than those of the allied species. It feeds upon 

 crabs, shrimps, and small fishes. 



In Vineyard Sound the Sea-robin spawns during the summer months. 

 A specimen obtained at Woods Holl, August 12, 1875, contained eggs 

 nearly ripe. Another, observed at Noank, Conn., July n, 1S74, was in 

 precisely the same condition. Lyman states that in 187 1 the eggs, which 

 are bright orange, were thrown up in quantities during the last third of 

 May on the beach on the inner parts of Waquoit Bay, and the females had 

 well developed spawn in them. 



The species just mentioned are found as far north as Cape Cod; the 

 Web-fingered Sea-robin, P. palmipes, even north of the Cape, two or three 

 specimens having been obtained in the vicinity of Salem and Lynn. 

 These two species apparently do not occur much to the south of Cape 

 Hatteras, and on our Southern coast they are replaced by others which 

 are smaller, and at present, of no economic importance. The genus 

 Prionotus does not occur in Europe, the family being there represented by 

 a \ery similar form, genus Trig/a, which, however, has still smaller wings. 

 Its habits are much the same. A single specimen of the Red Gurnard of 

 Europe, Trigla cuculus, is said to have been taken at New York. Euro; e 

 has nine species of Trigla, most of which are highly esteemed for food ; 

 some of these species have been known to attain the length of two feet, 

 and the weight of eleven pounds. These fishes are held in high estima- 

 tion, and are frequently seen in the markets. 



Parnell writes: "The Red Gurnard occurs on the Devonshire coast in 

 great numbers, and on some occasions thousands of them may be seen 

 exposed for sale daily, especially in those small towns where the trawl- 

 boat fishing is carried on. The flesh is firm and well-flavored. The 

 Tub-fish, T. hirundo, is of frequent occurrence on the west coast of Scot- 

 land, and is occasionally brought to the Edinburgh market. Its flesh is 



