8o FISHES I HAVE KNOWN 



make use of this singular power of flight. It is 

 possible, however, that they leave the water merely 

 for the sake of exercise, and that their flight is 

 one of joy and not of fear. 



It has frequently been stated that while the 

 long fins continue moist, flying-fish can sustain 

 themselves indefinitely in the air, flapping their 

 fins like a bird. But I have watched them day 



COMMON FLYIN'G-FISH. 



after day with a powerful field-glass, and have 

 never seen them do anything of the kind, but I 

 have also observed that they generally fl}' at an 

 angle to the wind. 



The flight, which at the outside does not exceed 

 150 yards, is almost exactly like that of a par- 

 tridge, but is not performed by the vibration of the 

 wings, but rather by a rush under and out of the 

 water, the wind materially aiding. 



