90 THE MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES OF ESSEX. 

 Genus TRIGLA, Artedi. 



Trigla cuculus, Linn. RED GURNARD, OR ELLECK. 



I have often caught this fish in the estuary of the Black- 

 water, opposite West Mersea. During those seasons in 

 which it occurs there, it may frequently be captured by means 

 of hooks and by trawling. Sometimes, according to my 

 experience, it appears to be absent for several seasons. I do 

 not consider it worth cooking. 



Trigla hirundo, Linn. TUB-FISH. 



I have also taken this fish in the same estuary, but not so 

 frequently. The pectoral fins of the species are very beauti- 

 fully coloured. 



Trigla gurnardus Linn. BLOCK'S, OR THE GREY, GURNARD. 



I once, and once only, caught this fish in some numbers, 

 during September, in the Blackwater, off Mersea. In the 

 Appendix to Dale's History of Harwich (p. 431), under Grey 

 Gurnard, is the following statement : " This I have seen 

 caught in the sea before this [*>., Harwich] harbour." 



Trigla lyra, Linn. PIPER. 

 Dale (loc. tit.) says : " This was caught near Harwich." 



Family CATAPHRACTI. 



Genus AGON US, Block. 



Agonus cataphractus, Block. POGGE. 



This curious fish is very frequently taken in the shrimp 

 nets, and small ones may be often seen amongst the boiled 

 shrimps. Yarrell says (British Fishes^ vol. i., p. 71) : " On the 

 eastern coast it is very plentiful." 



