243 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



In the autumn this systematic life may be broken up at 

 any time by the passing near to the reef of a shoal of Sprats, 

 Pilchards, or Anchovies. The sight of these calls forth all 

 the wolfish i^ropensities of the Pollack, which steal away after 

 them, leaving the ledge probably for ever to gorge on these 

 small fry. 



The autumn migrations of the Pilchard afford a grand time 

 for the Pollack. Then almost every circle on the coast is broken 

 up, especially in the undisturbed haunts around the Land's End 

 and Scilly Isles, and they continue to follow the shoals along the 

 coast, and often far up the English Channel, keeping to the high 

 ground when seeking rest, but always with their eyes on the 

 object of their pursuit, and seldom taking to settled life again 

 until some time after spawning in March. 



When catching prey the habit of the Pollack is to sneak along 

 quietly until within darting distance of their object ; then calling 

 into use their powerful fins they dart like arrows on their victims. 

 This is also their habit in taking the bait. There is no coaxing 

 or waiting on the part of the fisherman for them to swallow it, as 

 with the Hake or Conger ; as a rule, they rush like a Salmon 

 taking a fly. 



As to the question whether the food of the Pollack is 

 swallowed head or tail first, I think that all dead and wounded 

 fish are taken into the stomach as they are found, but all live 

 food is swallowed head foremost, those not caught in this way 

 being turned in the mouth. There is more readiness with the 

 mouth of fish than is generally supposed. I have seen Pollack 

 stop short in their dart at food, and play it in and out of their 

 mouths, as if tasting it, finally leaving it— such food being 

 probably stale, or sodden with water. The chief reason why the 

 Pollack swallows live food head downward is that it does not bite 

 or tear its food in pieces like the Carnivora, but simply swallows 

 it alive, often without a scratch. If the head were upwards in 

 the stomach, no doubt the little fellows would force their way 

 out again while the Pollack was in the act of securing other prey. 

 How long they remain alive in the stomach of the larger Gadidce 

 — for all take their food in the same manner — it is difficult 

 to say. I have known Pollack drawn up from a depth of eighty 

 feet, and taken into the boat and killed, and on being opened 

 I have seen Pilchards and Herrings taken alive from their 



