Arthur. — On the Neir Zealand Sprat. 207 



November to end of March. When first seen the shoal is usually travelling 

 southward ; still this is not invariably the case, as I have on one or two 

 occasions seen it head towards the north. The direction in which the 

 shoal is moving can at any time be ascertained by watching the movements 

 of the mutton-birds (Pujinus tristis). These birds follow the shoals in vast 

 numbers, indeed I might say, in myriads. So great are their numbers that 

 I have seen a portion of the surface of the water, several square acres in 

 extent, literally black with them. 



" The shoals pass and repass the coast between Ocean Beach and 

 Sandfly Bay several times during the season, at a distance of from a 

 quarter of a mile to two miles from the shore, according to the state of the 

 weather. Should the sea be very calm, with a gentle breeze from the land, 

 they are almost sure to come inshore. 



"For many years in succession they came in at Sandfly Bay, a beau- 

 tiful spot at the foot of Mr. W. Bobertson's property ; but they have only 

 twice visited that harbour during the last five years. When, however, the 

 sprats do come in, either at this place or any other place along the coast, 

 they come so close that all the pools around are actually packed with them, 

 and when the tide ebbs the silvery little creatures may be seen turning over 

 on their backs in thousands dying from want of oxygen. 



" Mr. W. Bobertson informs me that the shoals have passed Sandfly 

 every year since he settled there in 1860, and that in 1881 a shoal came in 

 for a few minutes but went out again, and passed on towards the south. 



" The shoals are sometimes followed by great numbers of red cod, barra- 

 couta, groper, and dogfish, and these again are followed by seals. When 

 such is the case, the scene from the shore baffles description. On the out- 

 side of the shoal are terns, gulls, and mutton-birds, fighting and screaming 

 over their prey ; while beneath are the large fish above-mentioned driving 

 the sprats towards the surface ; and added to the noise of birds and fish 

 you hear the sudden splash and short bark of some three or four seals. So 

 pressed have I seen a shoal, that several square yards of the fish were 

 raised quite out of the water by the efforts of the sprats at the bottom to 

 get out of the way of their enemies' attacks from below. On one of these 

 occasions I caught six large dogfish by means of a large hook lashed to a 

 long rod. As these fish lay struggling on the rocks, sprats came sliding 

 and even jumping out of their mouths in great numbers ! 



" As an article of food the sprats are really excellent. When fried in 

 olive oil they are deemed a luxury by the most epicurean. As to how they 

 could be caught for market, when offshore, I dare not venture an opinion ; 

 but when they are inshore, I can with confidence affirm, that they could be 

 caught in great quantities with hand-nets alone. Indeed, so numerous are 



