Gunner, Flounder, Smelt 265 



exhibit dark blotches and markings. It resorts 

 to the same feeding grounds as the tautog, and 

 about old wharves and bridges where shrimp and 

 barnacles abound, and in such situations is always 

 abundant. It spawns in the early summer, about 

 June. Its eggs are small, about twenty-five to 

 the inch, and hatch in four or five days. It 

 grows to about a pound in weight, though it 

 usually does not exceed half that amount 



While it is generally considered worthless, or 

 at best a poor food-fish, it is really a pretty fair 

 pan-fish, and if it were not so common would be 

 found oftener on the table of fish lovers. As a 

 game-fish it is anathema with most anglers. It 

 is despised because it responds so readily to the 

 angler's lures, taking the bait intended for larger 

 and more desirable fish. But on this very ac- 

 count it is ever dear to the heart of the juvenile 

 fisherman, who glories in his string of cunners 

 with as much pride and enthusiasm as his larger 

 brothers with their tautog, sea-bass, or striped- 

 bass. 



It can be caught with almost any kind of tackle 

 or bait. The cunner has no particular vanity in 

 the way of either. A piece of liver on an un- 

 gainly hook and twine string is as welcome as 



