of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



99 



herrings, some of the herrings being under 2 inches in length and only 

 partially scaled, while the sprats measured from 2 to 3 inches in length. 

 During March 1200 specimens were examined, 95 per cent, being sprats 

 2 to 2J inches long, and 5 per cent, herrings, some of which reached a 

 length of nearly 4 inches. 



During April and May the percentage of herrings increased steadily, 

 the 800 specimens examined in April consisting of 86 per cent, of sprats 

 of an average size of 2 inches, and 14 per cent, of herrings, 12 per cent, 

 of the herrings were less than 1| inches in length, with only the keeled 

 scales developed. Of, the 600 May specimens 70 per cent, were 2 J inch 

 sprats and 30 per cent, were young herrings, of the latter 40 per cent, 

 were 2 inches long and completely scaled, while the remainder were to 

 1} inches long and only partly scaled. Of 800 specimens examined in 

 June 87 per cent, were herrings and 13 per cent, were sprats. Of the 

 herrings 60 per cent, were fully scaled and from 2 to 2\ inches long, 

 while 40 per cent, were from 1 to IJ inches long, and either partially 

 scaled or entirely scaleless. The sprats were from 1 to 2 J inches long, the 

 smaller having no scales or only keeled ones. Of 600 specimens in July, 

 75 per cent, were herrings, 25 per cent, sprats ; the herrings varying from 

 1 J to 2 J inches in length, 80 per cent, being less than 2 inches. Of the 

 sprats 8. 'per cent, were under IJ inches in length and destitute of scales. 



rive hundred specimens of August whitebait consisted of 52 per cent, 

 of herrings 2 to 3 inches, and 48 per cent, of sprats 1 to 1 J inches long. 

 The number of small scaleless sprats gradually increased during the month, 

 until 90 per cent, of the samples consisted of these. 



The specimens of whitebait procured in Edinburgh were caught in the 

 Firth of Forth, generally between Alloa and Kincardine. The fishing here 

 is conducted principally during the winter months, and the takes are subject 

 to very little variation as regards the kind of fish of which they consist, 

 the examination of 2600 specimens of whitebait procured in samples of 

 about 200 each during December, January, and February, being made up 

 almost entirely (over 99 J per cent.) of young sprats, measuring from If 

 to 2| inches in length, over 70 per cent, of them being from 2 to 2| 

 inches. The half-dozen herrings among these measured 1 J inches. 



It must be noted that this examination entirely excluded fish taken in 

 the ordinary sprat fishery, which is also prosecuted at this season, and 

 which consists of both sprats and herrings, which are generally over 3 

 inches in length. 



In both the London and Edinburgh samples of whitebait a number, 

 about 1 per cent., of small fish and other forms were found, but these were 

 omitted in the above enumeration. Among the London specimens were 

 found gobies {Gohins ruthensparri), sand launces {ammodytes fohicanus) 

 shrimps, beroe, &c., and among the Firth of Forth specimens an example 

 of Gobius ruthensparri. 



It seems certain, then, that what are known as whitebait consist almost 

 entirely and at all seasons of young sprats and young herrings, which 

 vary in size and in the relative quantity of each according to the season 

 of the year. While these two species are found in common at all seasons 

 it is evident from the above returns that (if the years 1885-86 may be 

 considered typical of the usual condition) of the fish composing the 

 shoals in the winter and spring months, the sprats largely preponderate. 



From the Firth of Forth winter fishery the herrings are practically 

 absent, and in the London whitebait they are present only to the small 

 extent of about 6 per cent. As the season advances, however, the number 

 of young herrings increase, reaching at the end of May and during June 

 over 80 per cent, of the shoals, while in July their numbers^ slightly 



