EDIBLE PISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 83 



proportionately ; tlie outer ray is partially attached to the body by mem- 

 brane: pectorals rather small, from l'85-2-00 in the length of the head: 

 caudal deeply forked, the least height of the pedicle, which is feebly keeled, 

 equal to its width, and three fifths of the distance between the last dorsal 

 ray and the origin of the caudal fin : a distinct pit in front of the caudal fin 

 above and below. Entire head, with the exception of the cheeks, the upper 

 margin of the opercles, and some isolated patches on the temporal region, 

 naked. Lateral line curved and wavy to beneath the anterior third of the 

 rayed dorsal, thence straight. 



Colors. — Brilliant purplish blue above, the head darker and with a distinctly 

 greenish tinge ; sides silvery ; abdominal region pearly white ; a broad golden 

 band commencing behind the eye, and traversing the median line of the body 

 may or may not be present : soft dorsal and anal olive green, the elongate 

 anterior rays tipped with yellow, the latter fin with a narrow white margin, 

 and with a pearly spot between the bases of each pair of rays ; caudal olive 

 green with the lobes yellow ; ventrals white outside, yellowish-green inside : 

 pectorals and spinous dorsal gray : irides silvery, clouded ia parts with 

 golden brown. 



Prom the examination of specimens, obtained in the Sydney market, it is 

 appai'ent that the main body of Kingfishes shed their spawn in October, 

 though iudividuals having the spawn ready for extrusion are not infrequently 

 met with both in September and NovemlDer. That the ova is shed as a rule 

 ■out to sea, and possibly at some considerable distance from the land, is 

 probable, while it may be taken for granted that it floats, nevertheless, 

 unlike the two preceding species, the fry are never found in our harbors 

 nor even on our outer shores ; where, therefore, they remain, during the 

 period elapsing between their emergence from the egg and their appearance 

 in shoals along the coast during the latter end of summer, when they 

 measure from twelve to eighteen inches, is merely matter for conjecture. 

 In the Twofold Bay District they are reported to spawn in deep water 

 outside about the month of September, after which "they make for a large 

 sandbank which exists about twelve miles out from the Heads, where they 

 are found in great numbers." Mr. Grlover, from whom the above extract is 

 taken, also claims to have " seen the young fry out at the Heads in December, 

 at which time they also come into the shoal waters of the bay." He also 

 credits them with being " one of the greatest enemies to the spawn (sic) of 

 the smaller fish we have." 



The Kingfish visits our shores in large shoals at irregular intervals 

 throughout the year, the large fishes not, however, consorting with those of 

 smaller size. At all ages their voracity is very great, and they do much 

 ■damage to such fishes as the Mullet, both by harassing the parents when on 

 the breeding grounds, and subsequently by the enormous consumption of fry. 



Their food consists almost exclusively of small fishes, and Hardyheads 

 {^Atheriua pinqitis), Yellowtails (Caranx traclmrus). Whitings (Sillago,sp.\ 

 and Mullet {JSLugil dohiila), have been taken by us from the intestines of a 

 single large individual. As a table fish it varies much with the season, and 

 its size, examples measuring two feet and under being firm and palatable 

 while the larger fishes grow iucreasingly coarse, tough, and flavorless. In 

 this connection Mr. Edward Hill remarks : — " When the Kingfishes are in 

 good condition and perfectly fresh, the belly part, cured and smoked, is far 

 superior to any of the imported fish cured in that way ; and that portion 

 ■cured alone and used immediately, before it gets too salt, boiled, and served 

 up with egg sauce, is a choice morceau." As a game fish for sporting 



