THE CAVALLO, OAVALLET. 34i 



THE CAVALLO, CAVALLEY, 



The cavallo is known from Charleston to the Florida 

 coast, and is one of the most esteemed of Southern table-fish, 

 although of late years he has been caught as far north aa 

 Delaware Bay, and even on the Jersey shore, and is occasion- 

 ally to be had in the New York market at as high a price as 

 the Kennebec salmon. 



Like the drum, sheepshead, and bonito, it is of a migra- 

 tory character, and often changes its place of abode, or ex- 

 tends its range of travel. They are very abundant in the 

 Southern rivers that run directly into the sea, and are espe- 

 cially taken in large quantities in the rivers of Florida. 



The cavallo in shape and disposition of fins is similar to 

 his friend the pompano, although he growB to a much larger 

 size. The dorsal and ventral fins extend nearly to the tail, a. 

 barb or spike preceding the commencement of the anal fin in 

 the cavallo, and three preceding the dorsal in the pompano. 



The cavallo averages from three to fifteen pounds in 

 weight, and differs from most fishes by being defended by a 

 small line of spikes or bones extending from the pectoral fin 

 to the tail, which is forked similar to that of the mackerel ; 

 but the color of the cavallo is almost transcendent in beauty, 

 vying with the rainbow in its beautiful tints. The upper 

 part of the head is quite dark, verging on to a black, the back 

 a dark blue blending into a beautiful mixed brilliant light 

 blue and rose color, and thence to a bright silver-white on 

 the belly. Fins dorsal — a tinted red ; pectoral, ventral, and 

 anal, light gray. 



A. magnificent fish and a friend of the trailer ; takes the 

 artificial squid adorned with red cloth or worsted with hand- 



