II 



CAIiTPORNIA FISH AND GAME. 



the others, making the fin sharply pointed above, and the caudal fin with 

 its loM'er angle rounded and its upper sharp. The barbel at the chin is 

 longer than in the yellowfin croaker. It may be known from that 

 species at once by its lacking an enlarged spine at the front of the anal. 

 The upper jaw projects considerably over the lower, the mouth is hori- 

 zontal, and the maxillary barely, or scarcely, reaches to below the front 

 edge of the pupil. The edge of the preoperculum is divided into fine 

 points which are membranous and not bony spines as in the yellowfin 

 croaker. The pectoral is rather long and reaches to about the tips of 



I'iK. 10. 'Plie California v.hitiiig (Mcnti 



rliiis iDultildtiis) . 



the ventrals. The color is grayish with bright reflections. On the back 

 and side are many dark wavy lines that run upwards and backwards. 

 The back sometimes has faint dark bars crosswise to the body. 



This fish is rather common on sandy shores of southern California, 

 and is known southward into the Gulf of California, while individuals 

 are sometimes taken as far northward as San Francisco. It is a very 

 good food fish and reaches a length of 18 or 20 inches. 



The Spot, or Spotfin Croaker (Roncador stearnsi). 



This fish may be known at once by the large black spot at the base 

 of the pectoral fin. It is not only on both sides of the pectoral, but is 

 also somewhat on the body behind the pectoral base. As in most of the 



Fig. 11. The spot (Roncador stearnsi). 



