46 Smear-Dab : Size and Haunts. 



which, precede, or the two which follow. It is not uncommon 

 from the Chapman to the Knock Buoy, and the Maplins is 

 rather a favourite place for them. They are caught frequently 

 on the Leigh Middle-ground, and there generally from April to 

 June. They are not confined to these localities, but are got 

 along the Essex coast and mouths of the Colne and Blackwater. 

 In June, 1894, Cunningham (pp. cit.) found in the Wallet a 

 very large number, the majority 3 to 5 inches long, in the com- 

 pany of soles and dabs of corresponding sizes. They are present 

 at the entrance of the Medway, but how stands their distribution 

 around Kent is doubtful. It has been recorded at Sandwich, 

 1792, as smooth sole ; but is " a reputedly scarce fish at Dover" 

 (Webb). Those obtained by the Leighmen are not large 

 namely, 4 to 6 or even 8 inches long. The medium size, 5 to 6 

 inches, are most frequent. We have been told of a specimen 

 nigh a foot long, taken in deep water in the vicinity of Southend 

 pier, but this must have been quite a chance example. The 

 biggish ones are usually taken in the trawler's net, the smaller 

 ones occasionally stray into the whitebaiter's stow-net. 



In the Thames Estuary the smear-dab seems to prefer hard, 

 sandy ground, and this appears to be the habit of the younger 

 forms got in the Humber mouth (Holt), and at St. Andrews 

 (Mclntosh, op. cit.}. But the latter mentions that "the adults 

 haunt the somewhat rough grounds near the Bell Rock, for 

 which their dexterity in passing along rocky surfaces and up 

 perpendicular ledges peculiarly fits them." The Swedish name 

 Rock-flounder may thus seem appropriate. 



They are reputed to breed in the spring and summer, in 

 deep water well off-shore, and Cunningham has shown a large 

 percentage are mature when 7 to 9 inches long. We have no 

 reliable data to offer concerning their spawning or migrations 

 within our district. However, towards the end of April, spent 

 fish are not uncommon. Geo. Gilson says "even those of 10 

 inches he then returns to the sea, as at that time they are in 

 poor condition so as to be unfit for food." 



