CHAPTER VIII. 



B E R a A L L , CHOCKSETT, N I B B L E R , BLUE PERCH, 

 OR CCNNER. 



Ctcnolabrus Cerule-ds. 



This fish, although usually a pest to the Black fish angler, is 

 by some of the fraternity at Boston and New York considered 

 a worthy object of sport. It is usually so small and of such 

 little capability of mouth, as to be a continual vexation when 

 fishing for black fish with a hook of the usual size. Its weight 

 averages from 4 to 16 ounces; but a 3-4 lb. Bergall is con- 

 sidered a large fish. Its flavor by epicures, and those who 

 angle for the pleasures of the table, is considered inferior to no 

 fish that swims ; and there are a few, who really love angling in 

 its perfection, that will occasionally, in anticipation of a rich 

 repast, spend a day in the capture of these little fish with as 

 much zest as they would when bagging as many woodcock, 

 snipe, or quail. Its range is from the Delaware to the banks 

 of Newfoundland. Of its color, De Kay says : There is scarcely 

 any fish whose colors are so variable as this species. In the 

 smaller individuals, the general color is blue, more or less mixed 

 with brown ; and faint, dusky, transverse bars may be frequently 

 seen. In the larger specimens, as in the one now before me, 

 which is twelve inches long, the colors are bright and showy, 

 a light orange colored tint pervading the whole body. In these 

 also, the head and opercles are of a beautiful chocolate, mixed 

 with bright blue ; the fins of a blue more or less brilliant." 



Smith in his history of the fishes of Massachusetts says : " To 

 all appearance, the Perch, or Cunner, is the Tautog in minia- 

 ture, and if it were black, it would be supposed the young of 

 that fish. - ' But anglers who have often taken both descriptions 



