CHAPTER VI. 



THE CAVALLI, OR CREVALLE. THE MANGROVE SNAPPER. THE CRAB 

 EATER, OR SERGEANT FISH. 



CAYALLI, OR CREVALLE. This is a Carangus, but which of 

 the species described by naturalists as visiting our coasts, I 

 am unable to say. It is, however, a valuable fish for sport, 

 but of only moderate quality on the table; the flesh being somewhat 

 oily, with black streaks, like that of the mackerel. 



The cavalli usually appears at Mosquito Inlet, on the east coast of 

 Florida, in April in large schools, and is discovered by the commo- 

 tion it causes among the small fry, especially mullet, which it hunts 

 and devours incessantly, often driving them on shore. In the Indian 

 River and further south it occurs all winter. 



In form the cavalli is deep and compressed, with a long double 

 dorsal fin extending to the tail, which is deeply forked. The colors 

 change rapidly after the fish is taken, like those of the dolphin, 

 green and yellow predominating. Eyes large, mouth ditto, with 

 sharp conical teeth. Grows to the weight of ten or twelve pounds, 

 averaging perhaps three. Very strong and active, arid fights to the 

 last on the hook, dying as soon as it leaves the water. It is very 

 voracious, taking all sorts of bait, on the bottom, at mid-water, or 

 on the surface cut mullet is commonly used. I have taken it while 

 trolling with a spoon, and I am told that it will rise to a fly. A ca- 

 valli of four or five pounds must be very carefully handled on a rod, 

 as its movements are rapid and unexpected ; leaping out of the 



