116 TRANSACTIONS LIVERPOOL BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
measured 24 to 4? inches in length. None of the sprats exceeded 
3 inches. The summer clupeoids may be regarded as typical 
“whitebait.” The detailed results of the examination of 
samples will be published in tabular form later on, and, in 
the meantime, it is proposed to continue the imvestigation. 
Sprat and “whitebait” fishing is not provided for in 
the present bye-laws of the Committee, and there is no fixed 
close time. Permits are required to use the small-meshed 
nets necessary to catch the fish. These are readily granted 
by Dr. Jenkins, the Supermtendent, and the conditions 
attached to their use are loyally observed by the fishermen. 
V. ‘ WHITEBAIT’? COLLECTED IN MENAT STRAIT. 
This investigation has been continued. ‘The material 
has not been so plentiful as in 1914, nor could it be collected 
from the weir at Gorad Coch. The samples sent by Capt. 
R. Jones, during 1915, were taken in the Penrhyn fish weir, 
near Bangor. The fish are probably quite representative 
of the shoals which reach the Swillies, and would eventually 
be caught at Gorad Coch. There is nothing of importance 
to add to last year’s report. The tables giving the detailed 
measurements of the samples will be published later. 
VI. SrA GULLS AND SHELL-FisH BEDs. 
One hears complaints from cockle fishers from time 
to time concerning the amount of damage done to shell-fish 
beds by the ravages of sea gulls. The stake-net fishermen 
also say that their fish are frequently carried away by these 
birds, or are so much damaged that they are unfit for the 
market. One of the former lighthouse keepers at Walney 
tells me that it is quite a common sight, during the breeding 
season, to see the parent gulls returning from the direction 
