434 THE GRAY GURNARD, AND RED GURNARD. 



OF THE GURNARDS IN GENERAL. 



THESE are carnivorous and predatory fish. They inhabit not only 

 tlv, North Sea and the Baltic, but are also found in the Mediterranenn, 

 and in various parts of the ocean. When taken alive out of the 

 water, they erect their sharp dorsal fin, and attempt to inflict a wound 

 by means of their spines. These are their weapons of defence against 

 tneir enemies of the ocean. When taken up they compress*" their 

 bodies, and, in expelling the air through their gills they make a sin- 

 gular kind of noise: hence the French have given to them the 

 appellation of Grondins, or grumblers. 



BED GURNARD. 



THE GRAY GURNARD, AND RED GURNARD. 



About the months of May and June the Gray Gurnards approach 

 the seashores in considerable shoals, for the purpose of depositing their 

 spawn upon the shallows. They are occasionally found oil most of the 

 shores of Great Britain and Ireland. 



They chiefly reside in the depths of the ocean, whore they have a plen- 

 tiful supply of food, in Crabs, Lobsters, and Shell-fish, on which it is 

 supposed they, for the most part feed. 



Whilst it is in the water, the colors of 'the Red Gurnard are, almost 

 beyond conception, brilliant and beautiful, particularly in the broad 

 glare of sunshine, as they then vary, in the most pleasing manner, with 

 every motion of the fish. 



There are few of the residents of the ocean so voracious as this ; for 

 it devours, with eagerness, almost every thing eatable that comes iu 

 its way. 



