7o FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



The Skipper Garfish is a pelagic species, fre- 

 quenting the open ocean and outside coastal waters, rather 

 than the inlets. It is very widely distributed in seas other 

 than those of Australia, most probably occurring all 

 throughout the latter; though seldom coming under notice 

 owing to its being very rarely taken in the fisherman's net. 



This species may be identified by the following charac- 

 ters: The colour of the back is a deep bluish-green or an 

 olive-green ; while the belly and sides are brilliantly silvery. 

 It possesses a number of small finlets behind both the dorsal 

 and anal fins (somewhat similar to those of the Mackerel 

 family). Instead of there being only one jaw produced so 

 as to form a beak, as in the other Garfishes ; in the Skipper 

 both are prolonged, and are thin and flexible, reminding one 

 somewhat of the beak of the bird known as the Avocet ; 

 excepting that the beak is not curved as it is in the bird 

 mentioned. 



The Flying - Fish : Several kinds of Flying-Fishes 

 inhabit Australia's seas. These, like the preceding, are 

 usually found in the open ocean, in large shoals ; being most 

 noticeable for their interesting and graceful aerial "flights." 

 In some parts of the world, at certain seasons when these 

 fishes are present in large numbers, many boats engage in 

 their capture; as they are considered excellent eating. 



In the Flying-Fishes, the paired fins are greatly en- 

 larged, the pectorals enormously so; being comparable in 

 point of size to the wings of certain birds. It is this 

 character, which enables these fishes to indulge in their 

 so-called "flights." The term, however, is rather a mis- 

 nomer ; as these fins act more in the capacity of parachutes, 

 than as wings. "Nearly all" of the Garfish family "are in 

 the habit of making great leaps out of the water ; this ten- 

 dency culminating in the Flying Fish (Hxoccetus), which 

 skip or sail through the air in a manner, the explanation 

 of which has given rise to much controversy. According 

 to the latest evidence, the sole source of motive power is 

 the action of the strong tail while in the water ; no force is 

 acquired while the fish is in the air. The pectorals are not 

 used as wings but as parachutes." (Boulenger.) 



The Flying-Fish which I mentioned Cypsilurns 



