The Kingfisb 289 



speed. Others, recognizing the summons, joined 

 it, and out from all portions of the reef came birds 

 the lumbering pelican, and last the man-of-war 

 bird. What had been at first a few splashes was 

 now a mass of foam, which, surrounded by smooth 

 water in the heart of a dead calm, presented a 

 strange appearance. The ocean seemed to be 

 boiling, the patch of several acres moving slowly 

 along. Once in this magic area, countless fishes 

 were seen dashing along the surface, chasing a 

 school of small fry. Long ago mere hunger had 

 been appeased, and the kingfishes were slaughter- 

 ing their subjects for the mere pleasure of killing. 

 The foam was tinged with red, and from it, sinking 

 into the sea, would be seen a shower of silver, the 

 severed bodies of the victims attracting sharks and 

 other prey. 



Resembling the kingfish in many respects is 

 the Spanish mackerel, Scomberomorus maculatus, 

 a game fish in every sense, coming from southern 

 and unknown seas in spring in vast numbers in 

 search of food menhaden and other small fry 

 and to spawn. I have taken large specimens 

 trolling to the east of Fortress Monroe near the 

 capes, where large schools come in, and once ran 

 through a school in the Florida Straits, which 



