58 CHANNEL ISLANDS FISHES. 



Abundant in reeky situations on all our shores. What is given in the 

 standard Works as another spcjcies, viz., C'uftus scorpio, is, i believe, ihe same. 

 Stress is laid on coluur as a distinclion, but this tisb varies Iruui green, 

 blue aud brown to crimson, a.nd the markings also vary. Tbe number ot lays 

 in the dorsal fin is also made a ground lor distinction, but the u umber 

 varitrs between individuals in either "species." Changes oi colour occur 

 in the same individual often within a few hours, it breeds close inshore, 

 and the egg masses, firmly cemented together, may frequently be fouud in 

 rock crevices during April and May. 



*Sea Adder. Sea stickleback. Gasterostem spinachia, Lin., Yar. Sjnnachia 

 viUyaris, Flem., (J-un., &c. 



Common in Zostera pools on all our coasts. This species builds a nest 

 of soft seaweeds fastened together by elastic tiireaas. Tne male takes 

 charge of the nest until the young are hatched. The breeding season is from 

 March to May. 



*Basse. Lupus marinus, Johnson. Perca labrax, Lin. Lahrax lupus, Cuv., 

 Yar., &c. 



Common on all our coasts. Sometimes passing these islands in large 

 shoals, detachments breaking off and entering our bays, and thus occa- 

 sionally affording a good harvest to the fishermen. 



*SePranUS. Serranus cahnlla, Cuv., Gun., &c. Ferca cabrilla, Lin. 



This fish, which is common on the west coast of England, is only occa- 

 sionally taken near the Channel Islands. 



*SUPniullet. Mulltcs surmulletus, Lin., Yai^, &c. Mulli surmullet, Lacep. 

 Local name : ' ' Red Mullet. ' ' 



This local name is misapplied, because the Red Mullet proper {Mullus 

 minor) is a species that does not occur with us, whereas the Surmullet is 

 tolerably common on all our shores. 



*01d Wife. Cantharus lineatios, Gun., &c. Cantharus griseus, Cuv., Yar., 

 Jen. The local names are '''•Black Bream,'''' ''^ Blue Bream,'''' or simply 

 " Bream.'''' 



Common on the coast of Jersey from April to June : less numerous about 

 Guernsey. This species affords a valuable fishery to the Jersey fisher- 

 men during the season mentioned. Whether they arrive in our waters for 

 the purpose of spawning, or whether their visits are regulated by food 

 supply is not clear. But only adult and mature specimens form the visiting 

 shoals. Their food consists chiefly of worms, crustaceans and molluscs : 

 but in the stomachs of some I have found large quantities of zoophytes, 

 Tuhxdaria larynx especially, — a very unusual fish diet. They also feed on 

 the softer seaweeds. Captive specimens in the Jersey aquarium refused 

 fish (chopped sand-eels, &c.) even when pressed by hunger. They usually 

 return to more southern latitudes at the end of June or beginning of July ; 

 but this year (1905) some were still near the coast of Jersey at the end of 

 October. 



*Common Sea Bream. Fagellus centrodontus, Cuv., Gun., kc. Sparus 

 aurata, Donovan. Local name : " Sarde," or " Bed Bream.' ^ 



Tolerably common at Guernsey, Sark and Alderney. Much less plen- 

 tiful at Jersey. Unlike the preceding, which is distinctly migratory, this 

 species appears to be fairly constant on our shores. 



*Red Gurnard, meek. Trigla cuculus, Yar. 

 Tolerably common on all our coasts. 



*Grey Gurnard. Trujla gumardm, Lin., Yar., Cuv. 



Tolerably common on all our coasts. The young of this species are very 

 plentiful in the pools among the Zostera beds on the south coast of Jersey. 

 The young of the other species are not thus represented. 



*Streaked Gurnard. TrigU Uneata, Yar., Cuv., Lin. 



Less common than the two preceding species, but fairly numerous, 

 especially at the end of summer. 



*Great Weever. Great Slmg Fish. Trachinus draco, Lin., Cuv., Yar. 

 Trachinus major, Qfwai^xex. Local (Jersey) name : ^^ Zebra Fish. ^^ 

 Occasional on all our coasts. 



