Io88 BUI.LETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



Sometimes they would back in until only the head remained uncovered. Storer 



(1855), probably quoting from Ayres, describes this attitude well. He says: 



If we approach this (cavity) cautiously, we shall probably distinguish the head of 

 the toadfish very much in the position of that of a dog as he lies looking out of his 

 kennel. 



In nature the fish are solitary rather than social in habits, but in the aqua- 

 rium they herd together and lie heads on each other like a lot of pigs. Gill (1907) 

 has well described this habit, and I can not do better than quote him, as follows: 



Where many are together, they may congregate in a heap in some retired nook. The 

 crowding together of many individuals just alluded to is a characteristic habit in aquaria 

 at le; St. The toadfish is not a schooling or social animal as generally understood, but 

 there ire very few others who will associate as closely as it does. All the fishes in a 

 toadfish aquarium may occasionally be found massed together in a regular heap, as close 

 together as possible, in some selected corner, some on top of others. In such positions 

 some may remain quite a long time (perhaps an hour even) and most of them scarcely 

 move; there will be often some restlessness, nevertheless, and from time to time one or 

 more may leave and swim about or possibly seek another corner. 



This description is as accurate as a photograph. 



Doctor Gill further writes : 



When at rest its attitude is quite characteristic; its head is somewhat tilted, 

 sometimes supported by a stone, a sloping decline of sand or mud, or, it may be, on the 

 body of a companion. The fins, unlike those of most fishes, are often maintained erect, 

 the first as well as the second dorsal being completely upraised, while the caudal rnay be 

 almost folded; the pectorals are near the sides, but with the lower edges everted and 

 borne on the ground; a slow movement of inspiration and expiration is kept up, the 

 jaws being very slightly open and moved, and the gill membranes slightly puffing and 

 collapsing in harmony; otherwise the fish is motionless. Different individuals, how- 

 ever, may assume very diversiform attitudes, and some coil themselves up so that the 

 tail touches the gills or, maybe, is tucked under a pectoral fin. 



All of these attitudes I have seen scores of times. 



To a very slight degree the toadfish moves by crawling, using its jugularly 

 placed pelvic fins for this purpose. It may swim, using either pectorals or 

 caudal, or both. When using the pectorals only, the caudal is held still and 

 the motion is slow. The most common mode of progression is by the use of 

 the caudal, helped by the long dorsal. With each right or left stroke of the 

 tail an undulatory movement is set up in the dorsal, which aids materially in 

 propelling the fish forward. This gives the whole body a wriggling motion, as 

 is well portrayed in Le Sueur's (18 19) figure, reproduced on page 394 in Doctor 

 Gill's (1907) article. 



FEEDING HABITS. 



Food. — The toadfish is omnivorous; "all is grist that comes to his mill." 

 But the piece de resistance of his daily fare is crab, young molting blue crab 

 preferred; any crustacean will do, however, or fish, or almost any kind of offal. 



