ALMOST A LILIPUTIAN. 7/88 
The head of this fish is of a most peculiar shape; very 
suggestive of that of a cockatoo—hence its common name. 
As a food-fish the Cockatoo-Fish is of value, and as it 
grows to a useful size (18 inches or more), the time is not 
far distant when its use will be far more general than at 
present. 
GRUNTERS AND BOAR-FISHES. 
Trumpeter Perch (Terapon quadrilineatus). 
This small species, though unimportant, is not to be 
despised as a food-fish, as it is excellent for the table. This 
has been recognised more of late years, consequently it finds 
a more ready sale. Properly speaking, it is an estuary or 
harbour fish, flocking in large numbers round the shores. 
It attains, commonly, a length of about 8 inches. 
In general build the Trumpeter Perch is somewhat 
similar to the Silver Perch. 
Silver Perch or “ Grunter ” (Terapon ellipticus). 
PuatTe XLII. 
This is an important edible fish, inhabiting the western 
streams of New South Wales in considerable abundance. As 
a table-fish it is greatly esteemed, while it is also elegant 
in shape and beautiful in color. In many parts it is 
familiarly known as “ Grunter,’’ on account of the snorting 
or grunting sound made by it when captured. In this habit 
it is not unique, as other fishes of the same, and some other, 
families also possess the faculty of sound-production. 
The Silver Perch attains a weight of about 5 pounds. 
It is usually taken by means of the gill-net. 
In color it is of a generally silvery appearance, the 
edge of each scale being darker; the latter character. giving 
a beautiful imbricate appearance to the scales generally, which 
are of moderate size. 
The outline of this fish is, as the specific name suggests, 
rather elliptical, the back not being gibbous or humped, 
as in the Golden Perch. 
