256 NATURAL HISTOEY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



of which are better understood than those of the allied species. It feeds upon crabs, shrimps, and 

 small fishes. ' 



In Vineyard Sound the Sea-robin spawns during the summer months. A specimen obtained 

 at Wood's HoU, August 12, 1875, contained eggs nearly ripe. Another, observed at Noank, Con- 

 necticut, July 11, 1874, was in precisely the same condition. Lyman states that in 1871 the eggs, 

 which are bright orange, were thrown up in quantities during the last third of May on the beach 

 on the inner parts of Waquoit Bay, and the females had well developed spawn in them. 



The species just mentioned are found as far north as Cape Cod; the web-fingered Sea-robin, 

 P. palmipes, even north of the cape, two or three specimens having been obtained in the vicinity of 

 Salem and Lynn. These two species apparently do not occur much to the south of Cape Hatteras, 

 aod on our Southern coast they are replaced by others which are smaller and, at present, of no 

 economic importance.^ The genus Prionotus does not occur in Europe, the family being there rep- 

 resented by a; very similar form, geims Trigla, which, however, has still smaller wings. Its habits 

 are much the same. A single specimen of the Eed Gurnard of Europe, Trigla cuculus, is said to 

 have once been taken at New York. Europe has nine species of Trigla, most of which are highly 

 esteemed for food ; some of these species have been known to attain the length of two feet and the 

 weight of eleven pounds. These fishes are held in high estimation, and are frequently seen in the 

 markets. 



Uses. — Parnell writes : "The Eed Gurnard occurs on the Devonshire coast in great numbers, 

 and on some occasions thousands of them may be seen exposed for sale daily, especially in those 

 small towns where the trawl-boat fishing is carried on. The flesh is firm and well-flavored. The 

 Tub-fish, T. MrundOj is of frequent occurrence on the west coast of Scotland, and is occasionally 

 brought to the Edinburgh market. Its flesh is firm and wholesome, and is considered by some to 

 be superior to the last species, but in general more dry. In the north of Europe it is salted for 

 keeping. The Gray Gurnard, T. gurnardus, is considered by all fishermen richer and sweeter than 

 any of the other Gurnards, although in the markets it is less sought after than the Eed Gurnard, 

 which is the drier and worse flavored of the two. It is taken generally with hooks baited with 

 mussels. These fish are taken in very great numbers in the trawl-nets; they appear to be much 

 more abundant on the European coast than their cousins, the Sea-robins, with us.'" Their recom- 

 mendations are quoted here iu order to draw attention to this neglected group of fishes, which are 

 certainly worthy of greater consideration than they have hitherto received. 



Mr. J. Carson Brevoort has given the following testimony regarding the food qualities of the 

 American species: 



"The Gurnard as an edible fish. — Among the fish that may be classed as edible, but which 

 are entirely neglected here, is the Sea-robin, Grunter, or Gurnard. This curious, but rather for- 

 bidding creature, is, in reality, one of the most delicate morsels that can be laid before an epicure, 

 the flesh being snow-white, firm, and fully as good as that of the king-fish, or whiting. In fact it 

 would be hard to distinguish them when placed on the table. 



" In Europe every one of the various kinds of Trigla, or Gurnard family, is sought after eagerly, 

 and finds a ready sale on the fish-stalls. They have eight or ten kinds of the group there, and we 

 have but six here ; all but one different from the European kinds, though belonging to the same 



' Specimens caught at Wood's HoU, Maesacliusetts, May 29, 1871, contained shrimp, Crangon vulgaris, and a small 

 flounder. Another, taken May 29, contained a small beach-flea, Anonyx, sp., and Crangon vulgaris. Others, dredged in 

 Vineyard Sound in August, contained crabs, Panopeus Sayi, Cancer irroratus, and small fishes. Another, taken at 

 Noank, Connecticut, in July, 1874, contained sand-fleas, Unceola irrorata and Ampelisca ap. 



^ A single specimen of S. palmipes was taken by Mr. C. H. Gilbert, at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1882. 



3 Parnell, Eichakd : Fishes of the Firth of Forth, 1838, p. 174. 



