SNAPPERS AND RED-MOUTIIS. 



8i 



closely related genus is the ''' Hog-fish." or " Cirunt," of tlie Chesapeake, 

 and called also " Pig-fish " or " Grunt " in the dulf 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 XORFOLK HOG-FISH. 



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

 the bay of New York. The National Museum has many 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 1S54. 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. Holbrook 

 wrote about i860: "The 'Sailor's Choice' makes its appearance in our 

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