The Kingfish 293 
disappeared from the North, probably seeking 
warmer waters farther south. 
In appearance the Spanish mackerel is very 
beautiful, especially when taken from the water. 
The upper portion is a deep, steely blue, the lower, 
silver, while over all is a sheen of delicate pinkish 
iridescence. On the sides are orange-colored spots. 
The dorsal fins are tinted black, white, and yellow, 
seemingly blended to increase its beauties. So 
far as its economic value is concerned, it ranks 
second to none, the fisheries being extremely 
valuable, amounting annually to about 2,000,000 
pounds, valued at about $75,000. The largest 
number are taken in pound and gill-nets. 
The bonito, Sarda chihensis, is, in my estima- 
tion, one of the gamiest fishes taken with a light 
rod on the California coast. It is the humming- 
bird of the sea, no description or word-painting 
being adequate to describe its beauties. An eight- 
or ten-ounce split bamboo, with very light line 
baited with a two-inch sardine or smelt, or several 
anchovies, is the lure most telling at Santa Catalina. 
I anchored one day in a little bay not far from 
the isthmus and went ashore, giving instructions 
to the boatman to “chum ” while we were at lunch. 
Half an hour later a signal came telling that the 
