822 FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



confine themselves within such narrow bounds. On the 

 coast of Cornwall, they are found through all the seasons 

 of the year, and even there their habits vary in the different 

 months. In January, they keep near the bottom, and are 

 chiefly seen in the stomachs of ravenous fishes ; in March, 

 they sometimes assemble in schuUs, and thousands of hogs- 

 heads have in some years been taken in seans ; but this 

 union is only partial, and not permanent ; and it is not un- 

 til July that they regularly and permanently congregate, 

 so as to be sought after by the fishermen."* Mr Couch 

 says, " In some years, at least, a considerable body of Pil- 

 chards shed spawn in the month of May, perhaps in the 

 middle of the Channel, where I have known them taken 

 heavy with roe, in drift-nets shot for mackerel ; yet it seems 

 certain that they do not breed twice in the year, and that 

 the larger body do not perform this function until October, 

 and then at no great distance from the shore. I have known 

 an equally great variation to occur in other fishes, which 

 have in conseqvience visited us, and been in season, at a 

 time not expected by the fishermen.""' Tliey feed on small 

 crustaceous animals, and the roe of their own and of other 

 species of fishes. 



The Pilchard is easily distinguished from the herring, 

 sprat^ and whitebait, by the position of the dorsal fin. If 

 either of the three latter fish be suspended by the anterior 

 dorsal rays, the head will be observed to dip considerably, 

 whereas if the Pilchard be suspended by the same part, the 

 body will preserve an equilibrium. 



ClUI'EA SPRATTUS.-f- ThE SpRAT. 



Specific Character. — Base of the ventral fin placed a little ante- 

 rior to the first ray of the dorsal. (See Plate XXXV.) 



" YarrelPs British Fishes. 



■y Clupea spratiiis, Cu\'..YnrY., ,^e'^. Sprat, Garvcy Hfrriny. 



