224 THlE ZOOLOGIST. 



although great numbers may be taken at Lowestoft and off our 

 ]3iers, none seem to find then' way to Breydon. Codlings were 

 extremely numerous during the winter of 1910-11, fine examples 

 being numerously taken outside the five-fathom limit. 



In looking over the ' Guide to the International Fisheries 

 Exhibition' (1883), I came across the following note: — " Many 

 people will be surprised to hear that hardly more than thirty 

 years ago, when trawling used to be systematically carried on 

 in the North Sea, Haddocks were caught in such vast numbers 

 that there was hardly any market for them, and the fishermen 

 were ordered to bring only a certain number ashore. Tons of 

 them were then thrown overboard again." The species in the 

 southern part of the North Sea is now no longer common ; off 

 our own coast it is even of rare occurrence, and the capture of a 

 small specimen on an angler's line is an event to be chronicled. 

 I have noticed of late many Codlings smoked to pass muster 

 with the Haddocks, and sold as such to the unwary ; few, how- 

 ever, notice any perceptible difference in flavour. 



The Whiting still comes late each autumn inshore in smaller 

 or greater numbers, but seems to give the deeper waters off 

 Lowestoft a greater preference than Yarmouth. The five- 

 fathom limit is much closer inshore at Lowestoft. When 

 Codlings are exceptionally numerous, Whitings are noticeably 

 scarce. 



Young Pollack the size of Mackerel, known at Yarmouth as 

 " Pinnikin Coles," are irregular visitants. Occasionally in May 

 they are numerous, even in the ' river. This fish occurred 

 abundantly in the September of 1910. Adult examples are 

 more commonly taken, I believe, off Wells. 



Brill and Turbot of any size are not often met with in local 

 waters ; chance-time the wolders, fishing off Palling and beyond, 

 and shrimpers take a few small Brill. The same may be said 

 with regard to Plaice. Curiously enough, an occasional small 

 Plaice strays up-river, one being taken on a hook near the 

 entrance of one of the Broads a few months since, and was 

 identified by a well-known local fish-merchant. 



Whilst Flounders are not nearly so numerous on Breydon 

 to-day, either in summer or winter, when large spawning 

 examples used to congregate at the confluence of the Yare, 

 Bure, and Breydon, considerable quantities of large fish draw 



