126 ACANTHOPTERYGII. 



in length are captured, while others are 7 or 8 inches. Scad about 1 inch 

 long are commonly taken from the stomachs of large fish from the end of 

 Dacember to the middle of February. Couch, from these facts, suggested 

 whether they do not breed twice a year ; or perhaps all do not breed at the same 

 time. He also observed that the young have sometimes an unfortunate fate : 

 coming to the surface to obtain heat, they are huddled together, when guillemots 

 dive down to beneath them and gulls dart down from above. 



.Uses. — In West Cornwall and the Scilly Isles they are split and dry salted : 

 also in the north of Ireland, where they are known as crake-herrings. 



As food.— Pennant says the one 16 inches long which he had, taken in October, 

 was firm and well-tasted, having the flavour of mackerel. It is in best season 

 when it first comes off the coast in April. Generally it is but little esteemed, 

 and is held in no higher estimation in Ireland, according to Thompson, but Ball 

 states that on the south coast it is much valued by the poor. 



Habitat. — This fish has been taken off Denmark and the west coast of 

 Norway, but is not common in the Baltic : as we pass further south their 

 numbers increase, while they are very common in the Mediterranean. Found at 

 Madeira, they range to the Cape of Good Hope, and have been brought from the 

 Chinese and Australian seas : also from Western America, Steindaohner having 

 received them from Valparaiso, while others have been obtained on the same coast. 



Very common on all parts of the Cornish seas, disappearing in October, but 

 numbers of the young are taken until spring. It is found all round the coasts 

 of Great Britain: frequent off Lowestoft, rare off Yarmouth, while it has been 

 recorded from Berwickshire. In Scotland, Gordon (Zool. 1852, p. 3459) remarks 

 on it having been taken in the Moray Firth ; a few every year at Lossiemouth, 

 while it has been met with at Nairn. Parnell observes that in the Firth of 

 Forth seldom more than 1 or 1| dozens are taken during the year. Edward says 

 that in Banffshire it is not very numerous, and is seldom eaten : Mcintosh, that 

 it is not uncommon at St. Andrew's ; and Baikie that it is tolerably common 

 in the Orkneys and Zetland. 



In Ireland it is taken around the coast, but in larger numbers on the southern 

 and western shores than on the northern or north-eastern. Moore records it from 

 Kerry. 



The example figured, life size, was from the south coast : it attains to about 

 20 inches in length. Dr. Lowe mentions one he saw taken in the Norfolk estuary, 

 which weighed 2 lb. 



