82 AMERICAN FISHES. 



waters about the month of April and continues with us until November, 

 when the largest are taken. I have found in the stomach of this animal 

 only the remains of small fish, and yet it takes hook readily when baited 

 with shrimps and clams. It is found along the coast from Georgia to Vir- 

 ginia, where it is called "Hog-fish," and is held in great estimation by 

 epicures. ' ' 



''On the Gulf coast," writes Stearns, ''it is common everywhere and 

 throughout the year it lives in shallow water among the grass, feeding 

 upon small crustaceous animals. It spawns in April and May, and is 

 a choice food-fish. The average length is about ten inches." Stearns 

 also refers to three species known respectively as the " White," " Yellow " 

 and "Black" Grunt, which are found at Key West and upon the neigh- 

 boring reef in great abundance. Restates that " they are taken with 

 hook and line, and are brought daily into market. Before the poisoned 

 Avater visited that neighborhood the Grunt was the most important as well 

 as the favorite food-fish in the market, but since then they have been 

 scarce, and other fish, to a great extent, have taken their place." 



On the coast of California, especially southward, occur two species of 

 this family; one, known by the name " Sargo," Pristiponia David- 

 soiii, is found from San Pedro southward to Cerros Island, chiefly about 

 the islands, and is nowhere common. It feeds on crustaceans, and is a 

 a good pan-fish, but is too scarce to have much economic value. It 

 reaches a length of about fifteen inches. Still another, Xenistius califor- 

 ?iie7ists Steindachner, occurs from San Diego to Cape San Lucas. It is 

 too scarce to be of any importance for food. 



