64 THE EDIBLE FISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



As showing the present economic value of our whitings 

 (of which this is the one principally obtained), I might mention 

 that from 4,000 to 5,000 baskets of them, or 300,000 to 

 375,000 pounds, are marketed annually in New South Wales 

 alone. 



As I have pointed out in my " Fishes of Australia," the 

 Sand Whiting is of a yellowish- brown sand color along the 

 back, and silvery-white below. All over the sides and back 

 are the most lovely purple, green, and gold reflections, and 

 altogether it is a truly handsome fish. In addition to this, 

 young examples up to about 4 or 5 inches in length, possess 

 a number of dark blotches along the upper half, somewhat 

 similar to those in the next species to be mentioned — the 

 Trum})eter Whiting; but at no time are these blotches so 

 pronounced, or so extensive, as in the last-mentioned whiting. 



Trumpeter Whiting [Sillago maculata). 



Plate XXXIV. 



This whiting, in its habits, is still more of an estuarine or 

 harbor fish than the preceding, living in moderately deep 

 water, and preferring bottoms which are half mud, half sand, 

 or which are wholly muddy. 



Like the Sand Whiting, it is greatly valued for its excellence 

 as a food- fish; but, not attaining to such dimensions nor 

 being obtained in such profusion, it is not nearly so important. 

 The usual weight of those marketed ranges from 4 to 5 

 ounces, and it attains rarely to a weight of 10 or 11 ounces. 



It is not so often captured by means of hook and line 

 as is the Sand Whiting, but is obtained with a hauling-net of 

 small mesh. 



In addition to the difference in color already noted, 

 this species is generally darker than the Sand Whiting, but 

 at the same time is rather more transparent-looking when 

 fresh. There is a prominent, broad silvery stripe down each 

 side of the lish, this being comparatively indistinct in the 



