AN AKMOKED CRUISER. II5 



Sharp-beaked Gurnard {Pferi/(/o(n'</fa pohjommata). 



Though Ihis (iiirnard is not so often obtained as the 

 preceding, there is good reason for thinking that it is ahnost 

 as abundant — at least along the southern half of the coast- 

 line. Normally it is to l)e found, in its greatest abundance, 

 in deej)er water than that in which the Kumu Gurnard 

 is principally found, though stray specimens are captured 

 occasionally in the deeper water of our harbors. The most 

 northerly locality from which I have obtained this species, 

 so far, is Camden Haven. From here it becomes more 

 abundant as we proceed south. At times it is very abundant 

 on sandy bottoms in deep water, from about 20 to about 

 60 fathoms, in the vicinity of Sydney, New South Wales, 

 when considerable numbers are captured by line. 



The Sharp-beaked Gurnard is heavier in build than the 

 Kumu Gurnard; the eyes are larger also, suggesting a deep- 

 water existence, while the head is more heavily armed with 

 strong and sharp spines. Two of the latter, which are 

 powerful, flattened, and project in front of the snout; hence 

 the name here used. The general color is a beautiful reddish- 

 pink, the lower parts whitish, and with a broad silver band 

 along each side. 



It attains a length of at least 20 inches. . 



As I pointed out in " Fishes of Australia," this fish is 

 often called " Flying " Gurnard, a name which properly 

 applies to the next species. 



FLYING GURNARDS, OR SEA ROBINS. 



Flying Gurnard {Cephal acanthus spinarella). 



Sometimes familiarly known as " Sea Robin." It is 

 well known to mariners on account of its habit of coming 

 to the surface in shoals, skimming along, and taking flying 

 leaps into the air, somewhat after the fashion of the true 

 Flying-fishes, which are, normally, surface-fishes. 



It may be distinguished by its squarish head, the upper 

 surface and sides of which are entirely hard and bony, and 

 from the hinder portion of which, on each side, is an enormous 



