ALMOST A LILIPUTIAN. 'JZ 



The head of this fish is of a most pecuhar shape; very 

 suggestive of that of a cockatoo — hence its common name. 



As a food-fish the Cockatoo- Fish is of value, and as it 

 grows to a useful size (i8 inches or more), the time is not 

 far distant when its use will be far more general than at 

 present. 



GRUNTERS AND BOAR-FISHES. 



Trumpeter Perch {Tempon quadrilineatus). 



This small species, though unimportant, is not to be 

 despised as a food-fish, as it is excellent for the table. This 

 has been recognised more of late years, consequently it finds 

 a more ready sale. Properly speaking, it is an estuary or 

 harbour fish, flocking in large numbers round the shores. 

 It attains, commonly, a length of about 8 inches. 



In general build the Trumpeter Perch is somewhat 

 similar to the Silver Perch. 



Silver Perch or " Gruntsr " {Tempon ellipticus). 



Plate XLII. 



This is an important edible fish, inhabiting, the western 

 streams of New South Wales in considerable abundance. As 

 a table-fish it is greatly esteemed, while it is also elegant 

 in shape and beautiful in color. In many parts it is 

 familiarly known as " Gruntcr," on account of the snorting 

 or grunting sound made by it when captured. In this habit 

 it is not unique, as other fishes of the sanie, and some other, 

 families also possess the faculty of sound-production. 



The Silver Perch, attains a. weight of about 5 pounds. 

 It is usually taken' by means of the gill-net. 



In color it is of a generally silvery appearance, the 

 edge of each scale being darker; the latter character giving 

 a beautiful imbricate appearance to the scales generally, which 

 are of moderate size. 



The outline of this fish is, as the specific name suggests, 

 rather elliptical, the ■ back not being gibbous or humped, 

 as in the Golden Perch. 



