Whiting, Migrations and Food: Pout. 67 



bers of these " Fenians " are still to be got in the Blyth and up 

 and down Sea Reach. We repeatedly have had catches of these 

 deceptive " Fenians " for study, guessing some might turn out 

 to be diminutive Poor cod. But those brought us wanted 

 beard (barbule), and invariably bore characters agreeing with 

 the common whiting. If difference among them it was some 

 sharper-nosed, others blunter. 



As to the whitings' estuarine migrations, they are observed 

 first to arrive in October and November, about the time that 

 spratting commences (? following these fish), and then below 

 the Oaze and South Channel. Afterwards they by degrees head 

 up river ; but it is only on the extraordinary occasions that they 

 are plentiful beyond the Chapman. Presumably their spawning 

 season is when they absent themselves from the river's month ; 

 but as to where they go exactly our evidence is deficient. In 

 only a few, 7 inches upwards, have we found the roe indicating 

 progress. One 13 1 inches long, at end of November, seemed 

 likely to spawn in January. February to June are given as the 

 Channel months of breeding ; they commence a month later in 

 the north. The smallest sexual maturity is given as 8 inches. 

 We have found the whiting's stomach crammed with the follow- 

 ing assortment : Fish (viz., young whiting, sprat, sand-smelt, 

 gobies, &c.) ; Crustacea (such as shore and swimming crabs, 

 hermit crabs, shrimps, Mysidee, Idotea and Amphipods) ; oc- 

 casionally worms and shell-fish ; mixed up with these, seaweeds, 

 and even decomposed bits of wood these last possibly being 

 swallowed in hot haste as they grab at other objects. 



(4) The WHITING POUT, or BIB (Gadus luscus). At Leigh 

 some only know this fish by name as the Whiting Pollack ; but 

 it is not the Gadus pollachius. Linn. Dr. Laver says Essex 

 fishermen call it " Wule," though we ourselves have not heard 

 this vernacular expression.* The Pout is common round our 

 coast. In the neighbourhood of Ramsgate, Deal, Dover and 

 Folkestone they form a sure take of amateur fishers during the 



It is their only name oil the Blackwater (Fitch). 



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