1 18 EDIBLE FISHES. 



other Hilt fishes, and is easily distinguished l)y its oval shape and curious 

 liooked ileshy snout which conceals the mouth on its upper side. PI. IX. 

 fig. 84, is one-fifth the natural size. 



85. Gar Fish. 



This name is applied both to the Skipper [Scomhresox Forsteri) and to 

 the Ihior Half Beak {Ilemirmniihus intermed'ms), wliicli ai-e allied fishes 

 representing those of the same names in the British seas. The represen- 

 tatives of the former genus, however, though common in England, 

 ajipear to be rare in these seas, while the Half Beak, which is of rare 

 occurrence in the British seas, is common all round New Zealand, and is 

 the ordinary Gar Fish that is so highly appreciated, especially in 

 Auckland and Dunedin, where they are more fi-equently seen than else- 

 where, and ai"e sold in the market at from 2s. to 3s. per dozen. 

 Their length is about 12 inches. Angling for Gar Fish in Auckland 

 Harbour, where it is known as the Piper, is thus graphically described by 

 the writer of a letter which appeai'ed in a recent number of the " Field" : — 

 "I have caught him in quantities in the harbour of Suez, at Aden, in 

 New Zealand, and I have speax'ed him by torchlight inside the coral reefs 

 in the Society Islands, and everywhere I have found him a most excellent 

 and delicate fish ; indeed, once at Suez I remember the Ayahs almost 

 fighting for them as I drew them in, recognizing their excellence, and 

 evidently used to them in India. In many parts of New Zealand they 

 swarm in the estuaries at certain seasons of the year, and may be caught 

 three and four at a time with a light stifl[isli rod and fine tackle. I 

 look on the Piper as the float fish of New Zealand, for, though you may 

 have plenty of fun with others here and there, he is the only one who 

 really requires a float to keep his bait in proper position. His bait, to 

 begin with, is a tiny bit of beef or mutton, wherewith you catch, most 

 probably, a so-called ' Herring,' which is not a Hening at all, but which 

 serves your pui-pose. Scaling him and cutting a woe triangular bit out 

 of his side, and hooking it so as to make it play nicely, you fish till you 

 catch a Piper, and then you cut little triangular bits out of lils side to 

 entrap his brethren. The Pipers are 'jest awfu' cannibals,' and you will 

 be often informed on Auckland wharf that ' Pipers is deeth on Piper.'*" 

 PI. IX, fig. 86 represents the Half Beak reduced one-third from the 

 natural size. 



* "The FieUl," London, November 25, 1871. 



