Game Fishes of the Colonies 403 



margate-fish of Florida are known ; but not much 

 can be said for their game qualities, at least in 

 my estimation. They are famous bait-eaters, 

 excellent pan-fishes, and among the loudest of 

 all the grunters, or " talkers," of which there are 

 many among fishes. I well remember the first 

 grunt I ever caught. It was such a good-natured- 

 looking little creature that I unhooked it care- 

 fully, feeling that its large and expressive eyes 

 were watching me with more earnestness than 

 is usual among fishes; and as I held it, it 

 began to grunt, so loudly that I surrendered at 

 once and tossed it overboard, quite convinced 

 that the extraordinary sounds were pleas for 

 mercy. Nearly all of the grunts are attractive, 

 even beautiful fishes, the common grunt of 

 Porto Rico, Ronco arara, being one of the most 

 striking in its range and combination of color. 

 In some of the parrot-fishes the singular joined 

 teeth are blue or pink, and this quaint and 

 familiar grunt has the inside of its mouth colored 

 a vivid red ; and when hooked it comes pleas- 

 antly up with its mouth wide open, ready to 

 fairly grunt its way to liberty if the angler is sen- 

 timental or soft-hearted, as without doubt certain 

 anglers are. 



