of the Fishery Board for Scotland, 



209 



Coal-fish {Green Cod). — Adults of this species are not unfrequently 

 stranded at all seasons, both on the sands and amongst the rocks. So far 

 as observed, many of these appear to be in perfect health, so that they 

 may have beached themselves while in the eager pursuit of shore fishes. 

 In a few cases the occurrence of green sea-weeds and other peculiar 

 materials in their stomachs would indicate indiscriminate voracity or a 

 morbid appetite. They are very fond of young herrings and sand-eels, and 

 occasionally may be seen off the east sands darting after both with great 

 activity. The habits of this fish are very different from those of the cod. 



Pollack. — While the young are frequently found amongst the shoals of 

 coal-fish and whitings in the harbour, the adult is very rarely captured in 

 this neighbourhood. They appear for the most part to escape both the 

 liners and the trawlers. 



Ling. — Many young ling of various sizes are caught by the liners. The 

 change which ensues in this species, subsequent to the stage mentioned in 

 last report, may be indicated by the description of one 7 j inches long. 

 Instead of being striped the fich is now boldly and irregularly blotched, 

 both dorsally and laterally, the region of the white stripe being indicated 

 by the pale and somewhat scalloped area dividing the lateral from the 

 dorsal blotches. Fourteen or fifteen of the brownish blotches occur 

 between the pectorals and the base of the tail. They are separated by 

 the whitish areas, which thus assume a reticulated appearance over the 

 anterior dorsal and lateral regions, and both kinds of pigment invade the 

 dorsal fins. The original dark greenish band is more or less evident from 

 the tip of the snout to the posterior part of operculum, but thereafter it is 

 lost. It is less distinct in front of than behind the eyes. The tail has a 

 pale border, with a dark brownish belt of considerable breadth, and a few 

 black touches in it. A broad white streak exists in the upper half within 

 this, but is feebly marked inferiorly. The black pigment is largely 

 developed in the brownish belt along the inferior margin. The black 

 spots at the posterior part of the first and second dorsals are very distinct, 

 and the dark belt of the anal is densest at the posterior end. This 

 specimen came from the neighbourhood of the Carr Kock, but similar 

 examples are generally to be found oflf the mouth of the harbour at St 

 Andrews. Many of the young Gadidse thus seem to frequent shallow 

 water at a certain stage of development, the larger examples as a rule 

 seeking the deeper water. 



Sand Eel. — The adults have been examined at various seasons, but the 

 ripe forms have hitherto escaped capture. 



Halibut. — Two young specimens, apparently about the same age, were 

 caught by a local trawler on the usual ground in the Bay on November 

 13th. The larger measured 12 inches in length, with a breadth of 3| 

 inches across its widest part. The general colour was dark olive, marbled 

 with darker touches, which also occurred in the marginal fins (dorsal and 

 anal), the latter presenting lighter basal regions. Moreover, the entire 

 dorsum was dotted with small reddish spots, like those in certain plaice. 

 The stomach of the larger contained, besides a few thread-worms, a young 

 long-rough dab, and a few small shrimps, only the latter occurring in 

 the stomach of the smaller. It is seldom a halibut over 10 or 12 lbs. is 

 caught in St Andrews Bay, the larger examples being found by the 

 liners in deep water. 



Salmon. — The great number of salmon caught this season in the stake- 

 nets off the east rocks, ranging from 1 to 4 miles from the east sands, 

 is remarkable. During one week about 500 salmon were obtained. 

 One net was placed opposite the Maiden Rock, a second off Kinkell Ness, 

 and a third off the Black Rock at Kittock's Den. 



o 



