292 BLUEFIELDS. 



In the shallows along the beach, and in the inter- 

 stices of the rugged coral rocks, these tiny fishes swim 

 in immense shoals, huddling so close together, that 

 to a person looking down upon a shoal at his feet, 

 not a speck, literally, of the white sandy bottom is 

 visible beneath them ; the group looking like an 

 uniform brownish patch. These, like the Sprats, 

 form a considerable portion of the regular supply of 

 the Rufous-necked Pelican, as well as of the Jack ; to 

 avoid whose impetuous attacks it is, no doubt, that 

 they swim so near the shore. When Jack are 

 " beating " (as the phrase is) a shoal of Fry, the 

 latter seem quite stupefied, and pressing together, may 

 be taken with a bucket, or even with the hand : 

 whereas, at other times, if ever so crowded, the 

 pointing of a stick towards the water, in an instant 

 clears a space beneath, so that they cannot be cap- 

 tured with a dip-net, with ever so much caution. 

 They are too small to be put on a hook, but they are 

 much used as ground-bait, and for this purpose are 

 caught by the negro fishermen, who use a cast-net of 

 very fine mesh. 



THE MONK BAT. 



At first sight I was disposed to think this identical 

 with the Chestnut Mastiff" Bat of Phoenix Park, 

 notwithstanding its inferiority of size. Careful ad- 

 measurement and examination, however, soon proved 

 it to be distinct, revealing essential differences iu 

 the external anatomy : especially in the form and 

 proportions of the ear, its tragus, and the frontal 

 membrane. The lips, in this species, are less pendent. 



