THE MULLETS. 373 



River, Homosassa River and vicinity, are also favorite spawning places. 

 During the fall they move in such immense schools that the noise of their 

 splashing in the water resembles distant thunder ; and to persons living 

 near the river or bay, their noise, kept up day and night, becoming very 

 annoying. These schools are followed by large numbers of sharks, por- 

 poises, and other destructive fislies, as well as pelicans and like sea-birds, 

 all of which eat of the Mullet until they can eat no more, and have to 

 make way for fresh arrivals. In spite of these enemies and those of the 

 eggs and fry, Mullet are as plentiful as formerly, according to the general 

 opinion of the fishermen of the coast." 



The Mullet is a bottom-feeding fish, and prefers still, shoal water with 

 grassy and sandy bottom. It swims along the bottom, head down, now and 

 then taking a mouthful of earth, which is partially culled over in the mouth, 

 the microscopic particles of animal matter or vegetable matter retained, 

 and the refuse expelled. When one fish finds a spot rich in their desired 

 food, its companions immediately flock around in a manner that reminds 

 one of barn-vard fowls feeding from one dish. The Mullet eats very 

 little compared with other fish of its size. It preys on no other fish, and 

 is preyed upon by nearly all other common fishes larger than itself. It 

 does not readilv take the hook, but can sometimes be caught with a bait 

 of banana, or one manufactured from cotton and flour. It is the most 

 widely distributed fish of the Gulf of Mexico, being found on the sea- 

 beach everywhere, in all the bays and sound, and even far up fresh-water 

 rivers and in fresh-water lakes that have outlets. 



Concerning the other species of Mullet, Mugil brasiliensis, as occurring 

 in the Gulf, Mr. Stearns writes : 



"It is common, and is found in company with the Mugil albiila and 

 usually considered with it, and the old fishermen of Pensacola distin- 

 guished it and have given it the above name. I have found spawn in 

 them in May and June. On the southern coast they are very abundant, 

 and appear in Key West almost daily in the fall and winter." 



"On the California coast occurs Mugil albula,'' writes Prof. Jordan, 

 "which is commonly known as the 'Mullet.' It reaches a length of 

 about fifteen inches. It is very abundant about San Diego, and thence 

 south to Mazatlan, and it ranges occasionally northward as far as INIonte- 

 rey. It enters creeks and lagoons, ascending as far as the brackish 

 water extends, in the winter, and thus is often land-locked in great 

 numbers, which are then destroyed by the sea-birds, especially by the 

 pelicans, and a few are taken in seines. It swims in schools in the bays, 



