Clarke. — On a nexo Flying-fish. 93 



Dr. Giinther, in his " Study of Fishes," says the flying-fish 

 " are more frequently observed in rough weather and in a 

 disturbed sea than during calm." And also he agrees with 

 what is usually published, that "the fins are kept quietly 

 distended, without any motion, except an occasional vibration 

 caused by the air whenever the surface of the wing is parallel 

 with the current of the wind"; also, that "in the day-time 

 they avoid a ship, flying away from it." My experience of 

 these fishes differs from these remarks, and my inquiries for 

 years amongst " sailor-men " have generally substantiated 

 this where their observation has been evidently carefully 

 directed to them. Of course, it can be understood from the 

 varying development of the pectoral and ventral fins in the 

 numerous species that some differences of flight habits must 

 occur ; those in which the pectorals and ventrals are much 

 less in comparison with the size of the body may safely be 

 accredited with less powers of direct progression through the 

 air, and probably an incapacity for turning or wheeling in 

 flight at all. And these generally are the characteristics of 

 the Atlantic species. 



The result of my observations and inquiries is that more 

 are observed in calm weather or light breezes ; that swerving 

 or wheeling in flight is fully within the capacity of most of 

 those species frequenting the Indian Ocean, the seas of the 

 Malay Archipelago, the China seas, and the equatorial and 

 South Pacific towards the coast of New Zealand and in the 

 Tasman Sea ; that they frequently resort to the presence of 

 a large boat or ship for protective shelter from their enemies, 

 as is evidenced from such habit being taken advantage of by 

 the fishermen, who capture them when so doing — vide the 

 accounts of the flying-fish harvest off: the shores of the Ber- 

 mudas, &c. — and from the low-waisted native traders along 

 the Indian coasts being easily able to attract them aboard by 

 the exhibition of lights for such purpose at night ; that they 

 in daylight come aboard in about the same ratio as at night- 

 time, when no attractive special display of lights is made ; 

 that a continuous vibrating movement is given to the pectorals 

 in aerial flight. I have been, myself, in such a favourable 

 position when the fish have arisen from the sea that a vibra- 

 tory hum has been audible — almost the same kind of clashing 

 noise as is noticeable in the flight of the larger dragon- 

 flies. Those which came on board vessels in which I have 

 been travelling did so in the day-time. One flew through a 

 port-hole — in the old " City of Hobart " — and dropped into a 

 hand-basin, after striking against the body of my sister, who 

 was washing her hands and face therein. ISlo doubt they 

 would avoid a ship as much as possible, and perhaps do, 

 unless under the circumstances previously quoted, which 



