TOE CALIFORNIA \VI1ITK SEA BASS. 379 



of the coast. Its llcsh is excellent, firm and well flavored, and its great size reuders it a very 

 valuable species. In tlie lirmnes.s of its flesh it differs strikingly from most of the other species of 

 t lie gi-nns. 



THE CORVINA CYNOSOION PABVIPINNE. 



This species is usually known as the "Corviua" or "Caravina." It is also occasionally called 

 Bliu'fish. It reaches a length of about two feet, and a weight of eight pounds. It is found from 

 San Pedro southward to the Gulf of California, rarely straying to the north. In San Diego Bay 

 it is abundant. It feeds on Crustacea, and especially on small fishes, as anchovies and sardines, 

 and is very voracious. It spawns in July or August. Its flesh is tender, being very similar to 

 that of the weak-fish (C. regale). It softens soon, but when fresh is of a flue, delicate quality, and 

 scarcely surpassed by any fish on the coast. Several other species of this genus occur southward 

 alonj,' the Mexican coast, where they are among the most important of the food-fishes. 



THE RED RONCADOB CORVINA SATUBNA. 



This fish is known where found as the "Red Roncador," less commonly as "Black Roncador" 

 or "Croaker." It reaches a length of sixteen inches and a weight of three or four pounds. It is 

 found from Point Concepciou southward in moderate abundance. It feeds largely on crustaceans 

 and spawns in July. It is a food-fish of good quality. 



THE RONCADOII RONCADOB STEABNSI. 



This species is generally known as the "Roncador" (snorer, from the Spanish roncar, to snore), 

 and is always considered as the genuine Roncador, the other Sciaenoids being to the fishermen 

 bastards. The name "Croaker" is often applied to it. It makes a very distinct grunting noise, 

 probably with its air-bladder, on being taken from the water. It reaches a length of over two 

 feet, and a weight of six to eight pounds. It is found from Santa Barbara southward, usually in 

 abundance. It feeds on crnstacea and spawns in July. It is a food-fish of excellent quality. 



THE LITTLE ROMOADOB GENYONEMUS LINEATUS. 



This species is known about San Francisco as the Little Bass. Southward it is called the 

 Little Roncador. The name "Cognard," said by Dr. Ayers to be given to it in San Francisco, is 

 unknown to us. It reaches a weight of little over a pound, and a length of one foot; it is found 

 from Tomales to San Diego, being most abundant from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. It often 

 comes into the markets in large numbers; it feeds chiefly on Crustacea and spawns in July. It is a 

 food-fish of good quality when fresh, but its flesh becomes soft in the market sooner than that of 

 most species. Many are dried by the Chinese. 



THE YELLOW-PINNED RONOADOR UMBRINA RONOADOR. 



This fish is generally known as the " Yellow-tailed" or " Yellow-finned Roncador." It reaches a 

 length of more than a foot, and a weight of two or three pounds. It is found from Santa Barbara 

 southward, and is generally abundant, especially in summer. It feeds on Crustacea and spawns in 

 July. It is a food-fish of good quality. Many are split and salted. 



THE BAGRE MENTICIRRUS UNDULATUS. 



This fish is known as the "Bagre" or "Sucker." It reaches a length of twenty inches, and a 

 weight of four or live pounds. It is found close to shore from Point Concepcion southward to 

 Cerros Island, and is generally abundant. It feeds on crnstacea, spawns in July, and is a food-fieh 



