298 WILD LIFE ON A NORFOLK ESTUARY 



referred to a specimen obtained by him while trawling in 

 Lynn roads, in May, 1873. Length, 2f in. 



In June, 1890, I obtained from a shrimper a small gurnard 

 answering to Couch's description. This I forwarded to 

 Mr. T. Southwell, with another or two. He replied : 



"NORWICH, 5 June, 1890. 



" DEAR SIR, . . . The gurnards you sent me I still think 

 are the young of either Trigla lineata (the streaked gurnard 

 of Couch) or T. hirundo (Couch's tubfish), probably the latter, 

 which both Couch and Yarrell call T. pceciloptera, regarding 

 it as a distinct species. On this Day, and I think rightly 

 (so far as I can see), does not agree with them. To settle 

 the matter, if possible, I have sent both the fresh and spirit 

 specimen to Dr. Giinther, and asked him his opinion. . . . 

 Will let you know the result." 



Mr. Southwell kindly sent me Dr. Giinther's reply, which 

 was as follows : 



" The fish are undoubtedly the young of Trigla gurnardus ; 

 hirundo has longer pectoral fins. There is no European 

 species of Trigla of so diminutive a size." 



This, then, seems to be a satisfactory settlement of the 

 question ; and although my shrimper friends persist in telling 

 me they only find these " small things which must be real 

 fish"(!), and do not obtain red gurnards of intermediate 

 sizes between three inches and above a foot, I have to 

 assure them the little gurnards and big gurnards are one 

 and the same species. 



A RARE BONITO 



(Scomber thunnind) 



" DEAR SIR, We have a specimen fish, brought to-day, 

 caught locally, of the mackerel species. Weight about 7 Ibs. ; 

 fetched rather big price. Call at shop and see me respecting 

 it, either there or market, when I will give you all particulars. 

 . . . It is a handsome specimen. -^ BEAZOR" 



"9, 7, '06." 



This was the first intimation I received with regard to a 

 fish, which not only afforded myself and several prominent 



