GREA T BRITAIN. 73 



periorly and on the sides, becoming white beneath. Narrow 

 vertical red bands pass from the back down the sides. 

 Dorsal and caudal fins reddish brown, edged externally 

 with red and covered with numerous irregular spots and 

 blotches. Pectoral of similar but darker colours, the spots 

 almost forming transverse bands. Ventrals reddish-brown 

 internally, having lighter red edges. Anal yellowish grey, 

 with a pink outer edge. 



Habits. This fish usually keeps near the bottom, but is 

 sometimes captured in nets which do not descend nearly 

 so low, while it has been occasionally observed springing 

 out of the water. It appears to restrict itself to certain 

 localities, probably due to the food which may be present. 

 One was obtained in a net which was floated over 30 

 fathoms of water. It eats Crustacea and small fish, while 

 pebbles and vegetable substances have been found in its 

 stomach. 



Means of capture. Often taken in trammels set for sur- 

 mullet or with the trawl, but rarely on baited lines. In 

 an aquarium it feeds upon mussels and shrimps. 



As food equal to the el leek, Trigla pini. 



Habitat. In Britain it is most numerous along the south 

 coast ; merely stragglers have been observed in Scotland. 

 In Ireland it is not common. 



2. Elleck or pine-leaved Gurnard (Trigla cuculus). 



Names. Red or cuckoo-gurnard ; soldier ; pine-leaved 

 gurnard. 



B. vii., D. 8-9 | 1 8, V. i A. 16-17, L. 1. 73-76, Csec. 

 pyl. viii. Vert. ^ 



Length of head 4 to 44- ; height of body 6 in the 

 total length. Eye. i-L diameters in the postorbital portion 



