INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 
457 
were more or less acquainted with the habits of the species of mackerel 
belonging to that part of the coast. According to their statements 
these fish strike the coast in the vicinity of San Diego in April and May, 
on their way north. They are invariably poor at that season, and, in 
fact, during most if not all of the year, although some claim to have 
seen* a few fat mackerel in October. Their migratory habits are similar 
to those of the Atlantic mackerel. The fishermen assert that they have 
seldom seen them schooling at the surface, notwithstanding the many 
reports of steamers and other vessels respecting large schools of mack- 
erel along the coast. It is probable that many of the schools of fish so 
reported are not mackerel, but herring, the appearance of these two 
species, when at a distance, being readily confounded by those who are 
not familiar with them. 
It is very doubtful if mackerel approach this coast in sufficient num- 
bers to warrant the fitting out of vessels for their capture, after the 
manner followed on the .New England coast. Many persons have 
thought that it would be a paying investment to do so, in order to com- 
pete with the New England fishermen for the Pacific coast markets, 
supplying both the salt and fresh fish. Any such venture would be 
precarious, however, until the habits and abundance of the species have 
been positively determined, and certainly not more than two vessels 
should be fitted out in the beginning. All the evidence goes to prove, 
moreover, that the Pacific mackerel (Scomber colias) is greatly inferior 
in quality to its Atlantic relative ( Scomber scombrus ), and those eaten 
on the Albatross were pronounced insipid. 
The fishermen of San Diego, Santa Barbara, and San Pedro resort 
almost wholly to trolling for the capture of mackerel. The practice of 
heaving to and raising them with troll bait seems to be unknown in this 
region. A few are caught in gill nets, but large quantities are never 
taken at a time by either method. The greater part of the catch is sold 
in San Francisco. 
Barracuda and Bonito. — During the summer barracuda are abundant 
about San Diego and along the coast toward Santa Barbara, but after 
September they become scarce, although scattering individuals are 
taken the year round. Ten or 12 schooners and sloops, of from 10 to 
28 tons each, belonging to San Diego, follow down the coast of Lower 
California a distance of about 170 miles in search of both barracuda and 
bonito. The latter species is also sometimes called Spanish mackerel. 
They are caught by trolling, and, after being split down the back like 
mackerel, are salted in bulk in the hold of the vessel, the same as cod- 
fish. • The catch is chiefly lauded in San Diego, where the fish are dried 
on flakes and then shipped to the Sandwich Islands and China by way 
of San Francisco. 
San Pedro region. — The third trip out from San Diego began on the 
morning of February 4, and fishing with hand lines was commenced the 
next afternoon in San Pedro Channel. The first trial was made at 
