21 



GURNARD. 



GREY GURNARD. CROONER. CROONACK. To Croon 



meaning in Scotland to make a dull croaking noise. 



GOWDIE. HARDHEAD. 



Cuculus griseus, Willotighby; p. 279, Tab. S. 2, f. 1. 



Trigle gurnau, Lacepede. Risso. 



Triijla gurnarclus, Fleming; British. Animals, p. 215. 



" " Jexyxs; Manual, p. 31-2. 



" " Yajirell; British Fishes, vol. ii, p. 53. 



" " Linnaeus. Covier. Block; pi. 58. 



Donovan; pi. 30. 



The Gurnard is the most abundant of the British species 

 of this genus, as it is also the most widely distributed. It is 

 also less sensible than the others to the influence of heat and 

 cold, and therefore it is as common on the northern coasts of 

 Scotland and Ireland as in the south and west of England, 

 being also reckoned among the fishes of Orkney and Shetland. 

 From the notes I have been favoured "with bv the Bicrht 

 Honourable the Earl of Enniskillen, I learn that in or about 

 the month of June this species appears in Donegal Bay in 

 enormous shoals, and is then eagerly sought after by fishermen. 

 Besides such as are used fresh, large quantities are then salted 

 and laid up in store. 



Its habits are social so far as regards its own species, for 

 not only do they commonly keep together in companies, but 

 sometimes in the fine weather of summer they will assemble 

 together in large numbers, and mount to the surface over 

 deep water, with no other apparent object than the enjoyment 

 of the season; and when thus aloft they move along at a slow 

 pace, and rising and sinking in the water for short distances, 

 and uttering a short grunt, as if in self-gratification. Some- 



