SPOTS, CROAKERS AND RONCADORS. 



133 



port, Ai)ril, 15, 187S, had the sj)a\vn running free from them. The largest 

 xidult did not exceed eight inches in length. 



On the Florida coast of the Gulf of Mexico, according to Stearns, they 

 are very common. They were found by Jordan to be very abundant 

 along the shores of Louisiana and Texas. At Pensacola they are known 

 by the name "Mademoiselle." They are present throughout the vear, 

 but most plenty from May until November, and are found in compan\' with 

 the trout and tlie Spot on the grassy shoals of the bays where they feed 

 and spawn. The time for spawning is in June and July. They feed 

 ■chiefly upon small fishes and shrimps. They do not school, but swim 

 singly or in pairs. Their extreme length does not exceed ten or eleven 

 inches, the average being about eight. They are regarded as excellent 

 pan-fish. 



THE CROAKER. 



The Croaker, Micropogon imdulatus, ranges from New York at least to 

 the Gulf of Mexico, although rarely seen north of Delaware. It occurs 

 also in some of the West Indian islands and soutli of l>ra/.il. Its name 

 refers to the peculiar grunting sound which it utters, but in the Chesa- 

 peake this name has been corrupted into " Crocus." In Texas it is called 

 "'Ronco." 



At Beaufort, N. C, according to Jordan, it is very abundant, and, next 

 to the mullet and the Spot, is the most common food-fish of the region. 

 Ilolbrook states that the Croaker makes its appearance off Charleston in 

 the month of May, but becomes common in shallow water in June and 

 July, and is most abundant and attains its largest size in October and 



