CHAPTER VI. 



THE PILCHARD, SPRAT, ETC. 



il the Clupeidse family belong, besides the all- 

 important Herring, the Pilchard, or Gipsy 

 Herring (Clupea pilckardus), and the Sprat, 

 or Garvie (Harengula sprattus). 

 By some naturalists the pilchard is referred to the same 



genus (Clupea) as the herring; by others to the same 



genus (Alausa) as the shad. It is nearly of the same 



size as the former, 



but thicker, and 



with a straighter 



back and belly; its 



scales are larger 



and fewer ; and its 



dorsal fin is placed 



more to the fore. 



The upper part of 



its body is a bluish- 

 green ; the Sides THE PILCHARD. 



and belly are silvery white ; the cheeks and gill-covers 

 tinged with golden yellow, and much streaked ; the dor- 

 sal fin and tail are dusky. It was formerly supposed to 



