52 EDIBLE EISHES OF NEW SOI'TH TVALES. 



filameutous, 1"25-1'50 in the length of the head: pectorals sickle-shaped, 

 extending beyond the origin of the anal fin, and one sixth to two fifths 

 longer than the head : caudal emarginate ; the height of the pedicle 

 3 33-3"G6 in that of the body. Scales feehly ctenid, adherent : snout, 

 preorbital, maxilla, and interorbital space scaleless : dorsal spines set in a 

 deep groove, the rayed portion and the anal with a basal scaly sheath : a 

 long narrow scale above the base of the ventral fin. Lateral line sinuous 

 ixntcriorly, subsequently following the curvature of the back, frequently with 

 a slight sinuosity beneath the posterior dorsal rays. Airbladder large. 



Colors. — Upper surface of head dark bluish-gray, lighter between the eyes, 

 cheeks and operclcs gray and gold with a tinge of pink; mandibular region 

 silvery white; a dark gray arcuate hand from the occiput to the origin of 

 the lateral line ; back, olive green ; sides, silvery, each scale margined with 

 dull yellow ; lower surfaces white, tinged w-ith yellow below the base of the 

 pectorals : dorsal opaque, with a narrow black margin ; anal yellow, basally 

 tinged with ])ink, and with a broad dark gray median band ; ventrals yellow ; 

 a black axillary spot ; caudal yellowish-brown, with a moderately broad 

 black marginal band : irides hrown and gold. 



The evidence elicited before the Eoyal Commission in connection with the 

 spawning of the Black Bream is again very conflicting, so much so that the 

 only conclusion arrived at is stated thus : — " The schooling season seems to 

 be "summer, but when or where they spawn has not heen ascertained." 

 Trom Twofold Bay Mr. G-lover distinctly asserts that "February is the 

 month for spawning, and the fish, spawn among weeds, and in deep holes 

 with a muddy hottom." This agrees fairly well as to the date with the 

 observations of the late Mr. Edward Hill, who, referring probably to the 

 Sydney District, says : — " These Bream visit our harbors from seaward 

 ^periodically during the summ.er months of February, March, and April, and 

 xire adult fishes, being full roed at the time of their visit; probably they are 

 migratory for the purpose of spawning." "Writing from the Clarence Heads 

 Mr. Hoed Pegus states that " Black Bream spawn in July, and are found in 

 the river all the year round." From my own notes I find that of two 

 specimens examined during the month of August, both having been taken 

 in the same haul of a seine, one was found to contain ova in a very early 

 stage of development, while in the other the ova was fully developed, but 

 exceptionally few in number ; during the following month a specimen from 

 the same locality showed not the faintest trace of spawning, nor did a 

 specimen from Lake Macquarie captured in October, though in another 

 example from the same Lake the roe was about half developed ; a specimen, 

 however, from "Wollongong, taken during the same month, had the spawn 

 ready for extrusion ; lastly a specimen from Shellharbor, taken in December, 

 scarcely showed any signs of breeding, while the roe was fully developed 

 ia Port Jackson examples purchased at the same time ; it would appear, 

 therefore, that even in fishes from the same locality much diversity occurs 

 as to the spawning season. 



Though occasionally taken on the outside Snapper-grounds, the favorite 

 haunts of the Black Bream are the sheltered bays, lakes, and estuaries which 

 are so frequent on the coast of the Colony ; here they arc taken by the 

 seine in enormous numbers, the finest offered for sale in the Sydney 

 market coming from Lake Macquarie. They are also great favorites vv'ith 

 the amateur line fisher, as when plentiful and in a taking humor they afford 

 fine sport, the best bait according to Mr. Hill being fresh or a day old 

 mackerel, or better still the small prawns, popularly known as "nippers" 

 (Alpheus edtcardsii), which are procurable at low tide among seaweeds. Of 





