78 " Yawlings" Herring, their spawning. 



Probably most Leigh fishermen would have allowed that the 

 largest of the set were really herring, even although they clung 

 to recognising the shortest as their typical " Yawlings." 

 Still where would come the line of separation in such a gradu- 

 ated series ? As a climax it may be added, avoiding detail, 

 that examination into specific characters left no doubt of their 

 all being immature herrings. 



As to where those herrings spawn that frequent the estuary, 

 ignorance is to be confessed. The Leigh shrimp trawlers, so 

 far as we know, have not hitherto brought up or observed any 

 samples of spawn that could be construed as that of herring. 

 To wit, within their area of fishing which in the lower estuary 

 chiefly compasses the Gaze, Redsand, Gilman and the Girdler. 

 As mere conjecture on our part, the vicinity of the Shingles, 

 Barrow Sands, Sunk and Long Sand would seem the most 

 likely grounds. This inasmuch as the diminutive brood (part 

 whitebait) which literally swarm westwards towards mid- 

 summer cannot be derived from a great distance. 



Regarding the period of their spawning : In December we 

 have noted some specimens between 6 and 7 inches long, with 

 the ovary in the early vascular stage, while others were less 

 advanced. In February similar sized specimens were much in 

 the same condition, though examples male and female of 8 and 

 8| inches (extreme length) had full milt and roe, both nigh 

 ripe. In March and April the completely adult forms seem 

 scarce or absent in the whitebaiters' stow-net (Southend neigh- 

 bourhood, as well as at Queenborough), so probably during these 

 months there is a migration towards their spawning grounds, 

 not visited by our fishers. At all events, during April and May 

 the quite young translucent scaleless fish, and those with partial 



*A few of the fishermen, especially the lads we have 

 confused in their notions how to distinguish a " yawling " 

 reply is "I knows it," or some will say "he's 'got a big 



conversed with, are rather 

 of small size. An invariable 

 head." But the clearest ex- 

 pressions characterizing yawlings we heard from the brothers BunrJock. Their method 

 of judging is based: 1. On general length as compared with depth of body. Sprats 

 being deepest and plumpest, the yawlings are so to say leanest looking.' 2. Head 

 relatively largest in yawlings. 3. Eye largest in yawlings, and the lower jaw below 

 the eye protuberant. 4. The sprats are brightest throughout (more sheen), the "yaw- 

 lings" tending to a darker coloured back. 5. The prickly belly when old enough. 



