562 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



stance " of the Herring fishery affords interesting reading. Food 

 is seldom found in the stomachs of Herrings, yet they must 

 devour myriads of Crustacea and Entomostraca. I dissected a 

 six-inch example found on the south beach, April 13th, 1890; its 

 maw contained 143 Opossum Shrimps. Have also found a six- 

 inch example full of roe. Some imported Norway Herrings, on 

 Dec. 17th, 1895, measured 15 in., girth 7 in., weight 14j oz. A 

 'long-shore averages 10 in. I believe the Norway variety is 

 simply aged Herrings. 



C. sprattus. Sprat. C. — Abundant in October and November. 

 Most of those sold hail from Aldeburgh and Southwold. Local 

 boats no longer venture out for the fishing. On Dec. 5th, 1895, 

 I examined some sprats ; the ova were discernible with a strong 

 lens. An unusual and out-of-season catch was made the third week 

 in February, 1896, when roe and milt were found well developed. 

 The ova differed very little in relative size from those of a 

 Herring. I consider the Sprat spawns in March, at no great 

 distance from the land. 



C. alosa. Allis Shad. R. R. — Draw-netters occasionally fall 

 in with the species. " Not uncommon with the Herrings " 

 (Pagets). One taken near Norwich, 1840. Numerous (Twaite's 

 also), May, 1895. Several, 1\ in. to 9 in., examples washed 

 ashore, May 4th, 1891. One taken April 27th, 1893, weighed 4 J lb. 



C.Jinta. Twait Shad. R. R. — One taken in draw-net, April 

 19th, 1893. Length, 17 in. ; weight, 4| lb. The Pagets do not 

 mention this species. Seen it netted on Breydon. Usual 

 number of spots on either side, nine. Saw one, May, 1895, with 

 fifteen. 



C. pilchardus. Pilchard. R. R. — Occasionally straggles into 

 the Herring shoals. Fish curers who detect the species invariably 

 nail it up "for luck" on a beam in the curing honse. " Some 

 few generally taken every year in the Herring nets ; in some 

 years they have been abundant, as in 1780 and J 790; and 

 in 17 99 so many were taken that one 'tower' received upwards 

 of a ' last ' as his perquisite " (Pagets). Nearly every year a few 

 are observed. 



Angnilla vulgaris. Sharp-nosed Eel. C. — The largest local 

 record is as follows: March 26th, 1808, one taken in the river 

 between the harbour mouth and Haven bridge. Length, 6 ft. ; 



