THE BLACK SNAPPER AND KINGFISH. 345 



aquatic inhabitant. The form of the fish and the disposition 

 of the fins are very similar to those of the black trout. In 

 color they are unlike any Northern fish, being a beautiful 

 bright red on the back, blending into a lighter or softer color 

 on the belly ; color of the eye red, with a dark orb. Their 

 feeding-grounds are in the Gulf of Mexico and along the 

 coast of Florida, in the channels of the islands in the vicinity, 

 and as far south as Cuba. They are taken with the rod and 

 stout bottom tackle of twisted gut or gimp, by still-fishing, 

 with mullet, crab, or prawn for bait. Hand-line trolling with 

 a light metal, bone, or pearl squid, is sometimes practised 

 with success. They are an active fish and give much sport, 

 seldom weighing less than ten pounds, and often turning the 

 scales at forty and fifty pounds. The meat of this fish is 

 quite white, hard, and moist, and of fine flavor. It is highly 

 relished as a table-fish. 



THE BLACK SNAPPER 



Resembles the red in many respects, the color being black 

 on the back, graduating to white on the belly. It inhabits 

 the inlets and rivers, bites at mullet, crabs, shrimp, and clams, 

 and weighs from three to fifteen pounds. It is quite as good 

 on the platter as its aforementioned namesake. 



THE KINGFISH 



Is an exclusively Southern sea-fish, seldom frequenting the 

 rivers, but appearing on the coasts and bays ; obtaining often 

 to a great size, but generally weighing from ten to thirty 

 pounds. In habit they are similar to the bluefish, bonito, 

 and Spanish mackerel. In color they are of a deep blue on 

 the back, moderating to nearly white on the belly. In shape 



