THE COMMON HOG-FISH AND ROBIN. 855 



1 for rod-exercise. They bite at clam, crab, aud pieces 

 of mullet. 



THE COMMON HOG-FISH 



Of the coast ranges from Maryland to the West India Isl- 

 ands ; is a large fish, weighing from a few pounds up to ten 

 or fifteen pounds, and is very unlike his namesake in appear- 

 ance. He has a large head, and a capacious mouth with 

 \\ iiicli he demolishes crabs, mullet, and other small fish. In 

 t- mi it .-omewhat resembles a black basse. The color is dark 

 on the back, fading into a pure white on the belly, with band- 

 ed cross-bars of a reddish-brown color, similar to a perch. 



The scales are as large as those of a shad, and as difficult 

 to remove as those of a blackfish. Is considered a fine table- 

 ii.-h at the South, when stuffed and baked or broiled. In 



condition is quite fat and needs but little butter in its 

 cooking. He is generally angled for with hand-lines and 



tackle. Use heavy Virginia or large blackfish hooks, 

 with crab or clam for bait. 



THE ROBIN, OR CHUB ROBIN, 



fish taken at the South, nearly a duplicate of the same 

 n'sh of the North. The belly below the lateral line is quite 

 red and of a similar shade to the robin red breast, from which 

 feathered songster it is supposed its name originated. The 

 };ack is dark, fading into yellow, as hi the sunfish, und the 

 fins are of a reddish tint. 



The robin flourishes in many of the Southern ponds, lakes, 

 and small rivers, and is taken from a pound to two pounds in 

 weight, and growing much larger in the lakes. Makes fine 

 eport for ladie-J and children, and is not neglected by the 



