DEVIL FISHING. 75 



Point their place of rendezvous, and, well-provided 

 with lances and harpoons, sally forth in search of 

 them, at or about high water when they enter the 

 inlet to feed upon the shrimps, and small fish that 

 abound along the shores. On the ebb tide they 

 retire again to sea so that the time for seeking 

 them is confined to a few hours in the day. They 

 feed mostly upon the windward shores of the inlet, 

 where the small fish chiefly congregate ; and their 

 presence upon the feeding ground is indicated by 

 a slight projection above the water of one of their 

 wings. The motion is so rapid and bird-like, that 

 none who have once seen it will mistake, or ascribe 

 it to any other fish. Sometimes, though not often, 

 you may approach him while feeding in shallow 

 water, near enough to strike ; but the best oppor- 

 tunity is offered by waiting quietly near the spot 

 where he has disappeared, until, having ceased to 

 feed, he strikes out for the deep water, and having 

 reached it, begins a series of somersets that give 

 the sportsman an excellent chance to strike him. 

 It is a very curious exhibition. You first see the 

 feelers thrown out of the water ; then the white 

 stomach, marked with five gills, or branchial aper- 

 tures, on each side (for the fish is on his back) 

 then his tail emerges. After a disappearance for a 

 few seconds, the revolution is repeated sometimes 



