THE MULLETS. 373 
River, Homosassa River and vicinity, are also favorite spawning places. 
During the fall they move in such immense schools that the noise of their 
splashing in the water resembles distant thunder; and to persons living 
near the river or bay, their noise, kept up day and night, becomes very 
annoying. These schools are followed by large numbers of sharks, por- 
poises, and other destructive fishes, as well as pelicans and like sea-birds, 
all of which eat of the Mullet until they can eat no more, and have to 
make way for fresh arrivals. In spite of these enemies and those of the 
eggs and fry, Mullet are as plentiful as formerly, according to the general 
opinion of the fishermen of the coast.’’ 
' The Mullet is a bottom-feeding fish, and prefers still, shoal water with 
grassy and sandy bottom. It swims along the bottom, head down, now and 
then taking a mouthful of earth, which is partially culled over in the mouth, 
the microscopic particles of animal matter or vegetable matter retained, 
and the refuse expelled. When one fish finds a spot rich in their desired 
food, its companions immediately flock around in a manner that reminds 
one of barn-yard fowls feeding from one dish. The Mullet eats very 
little compared with other fish of its size. It preys on no other fish, and 
is preyed upon by nearly all other common fishes larger than itself. It 
does not readily take the hook, but can sometimes be caught with a bait 
of banana, or one manufactured from cotton and flour. It is the most 
widely distributed fish of the Gulf of Mexico, being found on the sea- 
beach everywhere, in all the bays and sounds, and even far up fresh-water 
rivers and in fresh-water lakes that have outlets. 
Concerning the other species of Mullet, Augt/ brasiliensis, as occurring 
in the Gulf, Mr. Stearns writes: ‘ 
“It is common, and is found in company with the A/ugi/ albula and 
usually considered with it, and the old fishermen of Pensacola distin- 
guished it and have given it the above name. I have found spawn in 
them in May and June. On the southern coast they are very abundant, 
and appear in Key West almost daily in the fall and winter.’’ 
“¢On the California coast occurs Wugi/ albula,’’ writes Prof. Jordan, 
‘‘which is commonly known as the ‘Mullet.’ It reaches a length of 
about fifteen inches. It is very abundant about San Diego, and thence 
south to Mazatlan, and it ranges occasionally northward as far as Monte- 
rey. It enters creeks and lagoons, ascending as far as the brackish 
water extends, in the winter, and thus is often land-locked in great 
numbers, which are then destroyed by the sea-birds, especialiy by the 
pelicans, and a few are taken in seines. It swims in schools in the bays, 
