274 FISHES. 



Mr. Reid mentions their being captured with a bird in their 

 mouth; in one case the victim was a gull, in the other a cormorant. 



Mr. Irvine-Fortescue says this fish not unfrequently comes 

 ashore in a dying condition, and he often sees their remains 

 along the shores of Scapa Flow. 



Mr. Moodie-Heddle says the Angler is very common, though 

 never fished for; they are usually seen ashore after a gale. 

 One in Longhope swallowed a tame duck, but was choked in 

 the effort. They are said to be good eating, and Mr. Moodie- 

 Heddle saw numbers being barrelled up for the London market 

 at Aberdeen during the winter. They had been caught by the 

 trawlers in what they call the Pentland Firth, but really on 

 the sandbank extending from Duncansbay Head to the north- 

 east of the Pentland Skerries. 



Family COTTIDJE. 



Cottus scorpius, L. Short spined Sea Bullhead. 

 Very common. 



Cottus bubal is, Euphr. Father Lasher. 

 Ore. = Comper. 



Not so common, according to Baikie, as the former, though Low 

 says it is a very abundant species. 



Trigla cuculus, L. Red Gurnard. 



Baikie records two examples taken in the winter of 1850-51. 



Trigla gurnardus, L. Grey Gurnard. 



The Grey Gurnard occurs, but it is not very abundant. 



Low mentions this species as being caught by a line trailed 

 behind the ships as they approach the islands : he also remarks 

 on the croaking noise made by them when hauled on board, 

 from whence their trivial name, " Crooner." 



Family OATAPHRACTI. 



Agon us cataphractus (L.). Pogge, 



Baikie says this fish is not numerous in Orkney. 



