^9 



usually large shoals of these fishes is due to this annual movement ; 

 at the same time their frequent appearance in Port Jackson at un- 

 anticipated times may be owing to the appearance of shoals of 

 other fish which they may have followed up. Be that as it may, 

 it is certain that about midsummer, annually, shoals of enormous 

 magnitude pass near the coast, going apparently in a northerly 

 direction ; that the sea has, sometimes for miles, the appearance 

 of being almost a solid mass of them ; and that they also have 

 their enemies, and are followed and devoured by shoals of larger 

 fish of their own family if not species, as well as by hosts of other 

 predacious fishes, birds, and mammals. The Mackerel which 

 appear so frequently in Port Jackson, and afford such excellent 

 holiday fishing to the citizens of Sydney, are generally very young, 

 and it is said to be rare indeed to get an adult or full-roed spe- 

 cimen. It is a very good fish when eaten fresh, but, like all the 

 Scombroid fishes, it dies immediately after leaving the water, and 

 decomposes very rapidly, and when eaten in that state it has been 

 known to produce symptoms of fish-poisoning : a most unjusti- 

 fiable prejudice has been excited against this fish in consequence. 

 " The ' Bonito' {Thynnus pelamys) is also seen occasionally in 

 these seas. It is generally observed in pursuit of shoals of other 

 fish, and it seems to wander about in large shoals, but whether in 

 search of prey or for spawning purposes there is no evidence to 

 show. Another very fine fish — the King-fish of the West Indies, 

 not of Port Jackson — Elacate fttgra, is also occasionally got here ; 

 but it can scarcely be looked upon as more than a chance visitor. 

 There are several other Scombroid fishes on the coast of the same 

 predacious character, and all more or less good for food, but they 

 are essentially ocean fishes, and only enter our harbours when in 

 pursuit of shoals. They belong to the genera Auxis and Cybium. 

 The ' Pilot-fish ' {Naucrates dtictor') is also a member of this 

 group." — R. R. C, p. 2 2. 



Dr. Steindachner, one of the greatest authorities, is of 

 opinion that our mackerel, Scomber antarcticus of Cas- 

 telnau, is identical with the European species, Scomber 

 colias of Linn. 



C 2 



