DKIFT-NET FISHING. 129 



the experience of most persons who have been engaged 

 in mackerel fishing, that both large and small fish are 

 frequently caught in the same waters and on the same 

 day. It seems quite clear that both kinds cannot make 

 their approach to the land for the purpose of spawning ; 

 in fact, as the spawn floats, there is no apparent reason 

 why the mackerel should come inshore at all with that 

 object ; some other motive must be sought for these 

 periodical visits, and it appears likely that an abundant 

 supply of food is the main attraction to both old and 

 half-grown fish, and that they instinctively seek it 

 among the myriads of young surface-swimming fry 

 which frequent the shoaler water. We know little of 

 what many kinds of fish feed on ; but there can be little 

 doubt that the search for food is one of the principal 

 causes of their migrations ; and to this we are disposed 

 to look for an explanation of the movements of those 

 species which periodically visit our coasts. 



The mackerel fishery at the Isle of Man is from June 

 to August, but it is not of much importance ; and in the 

 latter month they are also caught in Lochfyne, but only 

 by the scan ; this fishery either there or on any other 

 part of the coast of Scotland not being of sufficient con- 

 sequence to justify the expense of regular drift-nets for 

 the purpose. 



Kinsale has been for some time the head-quarters of 

 the mackerel fishery in Ireland, and large numbers of 

 these fish are landed there during March, April, May, 

 and June, by Manx boats and others, besides those 

 belonging to the place. On the west coast the visits of 

 the mackerel, like those of the herring, are very un- 

 certain, and the sean instead of the drift-net is fre- 

 quently brought into requisition when the fish come 

 close enough inshore. Gralway, however, has a more 



K 



