ii2 THE COMMERCIAL SEA FISHES OF 



Habitat. This species extends from the north-east coast 

 of Scotland ; very sparingly along the east shores of Great 

 Britain, but abundant on the south. It is also found on the 

 Atlantic coasts of France and the Iberian Peninsula, and 

 has been reported from the Mediterranean. 



This fish has been recorded at Aberdeen, St. Andrew's, 

 where it is rare, but one local specimen exists in the 

 museum ; in the Firth of Forth it is sometimes washed 

 ashore after easterly winds, but is usually rare. It is 

 recorded from Bridlington Bay, Yorkshire. In the Norfolk 

 estuary it is said to be frequent during the summer months, 

 and found at Lowestoft. In Kent the atherine appears 

 to be unknown, but is extremely plentiful in Hampshire, 

 especially about Southampton. On the south coast of 

 Devonshire it is caught in great abundance in the creeks 

 and estuaries, but never in rivers above the flow of the 

 tide. It appears to continue near the shore through the 

 months of autumn to spring. It is found in Kent, along 

 the coast of Sussex ; throughout the year, except during 

 frosts, at Southampton ; is as plentiful on some parts of 

 the southern coast of England as the smelt is on the 

 eastern coast, and each seems to have its limits. 



Ireland. Found in certain localities from the coast of 

 Down, where it is plentiful, southwards to that of Cork, 

 being not uncommon at Wexford and Youghal. It is 

 mostly brought to market at Belfast from December to 

 April, both months inclusive, but has been observed as early 

 as September. In autumn it is very common in the harbour 

 at Portrush, county of Antrim. Dingle Harbour abundant. 

 Said to attain a larger size in Ireland than in England. In 

 Strangford Lough its average length is recorded at 6-j-, a 

 few 7, and one 7^ inches long. 



