378 NATURAL HISTORY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



The Wliiting is a delicious pan-fish, sweet and hard, though soon losing its delicate flavor. 

 In Charleston it is regarded as a special dainty. According to Colonel Lyman, when Charleston 

 was closely blockaded and fishing was a hazardous occupation, the commandant of the garrison, 

 who was a l)on vlvant, gave $100 of Confederate money for a string of Whiting. 



Some of the early writers called this fish the " Bermuda Whiting," for what reason it is 

 difficult to understand, for the Whiting of Bermuda at the present day is a fish very unlike that 

 of our Southern coast 



The " Surf Whitiug," according to Jordan, is not rare at Charleston, and in the Gulf of Mexico 

 is as common as the other species, but is chiefly found in the surf, and hence is less frequently 

 brought into the markets. 



126. THE CROAKER— MICROPOGON UNDULATUS. 



The Croaker, Micropogon undulatus, ranges from New York at least to the Gulf of Mexico, 

 although rarely seen north of Delaware. It occurs also in some of the West Indian islands and 

 south of Brazil. Its name refers to the peculiar grunting sound which it utters, but in the 

 Chesapeake this name has been corrupted into "Crocus." In Texas it is called "Ronco." 



At Beaufort, North Carolina," according to Jordan, it is very abundant, and, next to the mullet 

 and the Spot, is the commonest food-fish of the region. Holbrook states that the Croaker 

 makes its appearance off Charleston in the mouth of May, but becomes common in shallow water 

 in June and July, and is most abundant and attains its largest size in October and November. It 

 is not much esteemed as food, and is only used as a pan-fish. 



It is abundant and highly esteemed at Brunswick, Georgia, and everywhere in Eastern 

 Florida, in company with the Spot, ascending the Saint John's as far as Jacksonville. 



Stearns writes: "In the Gulf of Mexico it is very common. Is found everywhere in the bays 

 and bayous throughout the year. Lives mostly in shoal water or grassy bottoms. Feeds upon 

 crustaceous animals. Breeds in the bays in November and December. The young are seen in the 

 spring, having grown to a size of two and three inches in length. Is caught with hook and line 

 and seine. Sells with other pan-fish for a low price. It is an excellent food-fish; average length 

 ten inches. At Sarasota Bay, December 8, 1879, 1 caught two specimens of spawning Croakers 

 that were each fully eighteen inches long — the largest that I have ever seen." 



An allied species is Larimus fasciatus, which is called "Chub" in Charleston. 



127. THE CORVINAS AND RONCADORS OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 



By David S. Jordan. 



The White Sea Bass— Cynoscion nobile. 



This species is everywhere known as the "Sea Bass" ("Sea Trout"), sometimes as "White 

 Sea Bass," to distinguish it from the Black Sea Bass, or Jew-fish. The young, while yet banded, 

 are known as " Sea Trout," and generally considered a distinct species, and both are frequently 

 called "Corvina" and "Caravina." 



It reaches a length of four to six feet and a weight of fifty to seventy -five pounds, perhaps 

 more. Those usually seen in market average about fifteen. 



It ranges from Cape Mendocino southward to below San Diego, being especially abundant 

 from Santa Barbara to Monterey in spring and summer. It is not often seen in winter. Only 

 adults are taken in spring, and it probably comes to the shore from deeper water for the purpose 

 of spawning. It goes in small schools, and its movements are irregular. Its food consists of 

 crustaceans and fishes. It spawns in June or July. It is one of the most important food-fishes 



