GREA T BRITAIN. 179 



are constantly on the look out for it when the tide is high, 

 and sea-birds when it is low. 



This form takes to softer ground than the larger species. 

 At the ebb of the tide it buries itself about a foot deep in 

 the sand, remaining concealed there until the succeeding 

 tide ; occasionally at low water its snout may be perceived 

 above the sand, or its hiding-place discovered by a little 

 bubbling. Lightning is said to have a great effect in 

 causing it to bury itself. 



Means of capture. Most sought for during spring tides 

 (except in winter). They are obtainable for bait all along 

 the south coast as far as the Scilly Isles, by those who have 

 seines made for their capture, especially those of the 

 Channel Island pattern, which have calico bunts or bags, 

 by which the launce is kept swimming until they are dipped 

 up and placed in the floating cases provided for keeping 

 them alive. 



"I was surprised to see the Ammodytes shovelled out 

 from shelly and gravelly sand to a depth of 2 feet, on the 

 surface of which my weight hardly left a footmark " 

 (Thompson). They are most readily captured during 

 frosts. 



Breeding. Various accounts have been given at what 

 period of the year this takes place. Personally, at St. 

 Ives, I have found examples of the small sand-eel with 

 milt and roe very forward in the months of August and 

 September. In Ireland Thompson found some ready to 

 deposit their spawn at the end of July, but he remarks 

 that in places they do so during the winter. Couch con- 

 sidered the end of December the most common period ; so 

 probably they continue spawning through the last few 

 months of the year, dependent on the temperature, be- 



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