40 FISHES AND FISHERIES OF THE IRISH SEA. 



GOBIUS PAGANELLUS, Gmel. - 



(Day's British Fishes, vol. I., p. 162, PI. LI I., fig. 2.) 



Probably in rock-pools at Port Erin, and elsewhere. There can be scarcely any doubt 

 that this species is found in our district, though we fear that it has frequently in the past 

 been confused with G. niger, and therefore, until a more critical discrimination has been 

 made, we do not like to trust our records. 



GOBIUS NIGER, Linn. Rock Goby. 



(Day's British Fishes, vol. I., p. 163, PI. LIL, fig-. 3). 



This is the largest British Goby, and frequents rocky coasts from Scandinavia to the 

 South of Europe. It is widely distributed round our coast, but not abundant. It is by no 

 means always black, and is liable to be confused with the last species. 



In pools at Hilbre Island, at low tide (Byerley, 1851), Holyhead (Eyton), Menai 

 Straits (White). 



GOBIUS MINUTUS, Gmel. One Spotted Goby. 



(Day's British Fishes, vol. I. p. 165, PI. LII, Fig. 4.) 



(Fish. Mus., Zool. Dep., Univ. Coll., Liverpool.) Local name, "Jack Sharp." 

 This is our commonest Goby, being plentiful along our sandy shores and in pools. 

 Both Byerley and Walker have recorded its abundance in our district. It is constantly 

 caught in the shrimp nets of our estuaries, from the Dee to the Barrow Channel. It 

 extends all around the shores of Europe, chiefly in sandy localities. 



Mr. Walker says, "It is common all along the North Coast of Wales and the Dee 

 estuary. It deposits its eggs on the under surface of an empty Mya shell, which it half 

 buries in sand, and then lies under with the head out guarding its nest." 



GOBIUS PARNELLI, Day Speckled Goby. 



(Day's British Fishes, vol. L, p. 167, PI. LIL, Fig. 5.) 



This little species extends around the coast of England, and has been recorded in the 

 Solway Firth, the northern boundary of our district. 



GOBIUS PICTUS, Malm. Goby. 



(Day's British Fishes, vol. L, p. 167, PI. LIIL, Fig. i.) 



This little Goby ranges from Scandinavian seas to the English Channel, but is rare. 

 A specimen was captured by Mr. A. O. Walker, at Colwyn Bay, on the north coast of 

 Wales, and was sent to Day for description in his book (see p. 168). Some specimens 

 obtained by Mr. Walker in shore pools at Colwyn Bay, in June 1894, and sent up lo 

 Dr. Giinther at the British Museum, were identified by Dr. Gi'mther as being his species 

 G. rhodopterus, but it is still doubtful whether or not that species is merely a synonym of 

 G. ptchts. Mr. Walker writes to us (July 1901), that it is "not uncommon in shore pools 

 at Colwyn Bay." Professor White finds it in the Menai Straits. 



GOBIUS JEFFREYSII, Giinther Goby. 

 (See G. quadrimaculatus , Day's British Fishes, vol. L, p. 168, PI. LIIL) 



(Fish. Mus., Zool. Dep., Univ. Coll., Liverpool.) 



This species ranges from Norway to the Mediterranean, but is rare in our seas. A 

 specimen, identified as this species, was obtained on one of pur trawling expeditions off 

 the south end of the Isle of Man. 



