MR. T. J. WIGG ON THE HERRING FISHERY. 
2G5 
Return of Herrings Landed at Lowestoft in 1900. 
Month. 
Lasts. 
January 
— 
February 
— 
March . 
97 
April 
. 379 
May 
. 404 
June 
405 
Month. Lasts. 
Brought forward 1,345 
July . . 840 
August . . 7 
September . 143 
October . . 0,281 
November . 8,904 
December . 3,234 
,203 
Carried forward 1,345 
Number of Lowestoft boats . 
„ Scotcli „ 
„ West Country boats 
Total . 20. 
213 
230 
9 
Additional Notes by Mr. A. Patterson. 
452 
The marked absence of the natural and formidable enemies of 
the Herring, which in the Fishery of 1899 seemed to be conspicuous, 
applies equally to the present season. Birds in particular have 
been scarce, although Gulls of various species have been seen in 
great numbers. I was much struck by the vast assembly of Gulls 
that made Breydon mud-flats a mass of life on October 28th, 1900, 
when hundreds, evidently wearied by some rough weather which 
was experienced at that time, swarmed the place. There were many 
magnificent specimens of the Greater and Lesser Black -backed 
Gulls (Lanin mar inns and L. /uncus), besides others in all stages of 
plumage; the Herring Gulls (L. argentatus), both old and young, 
were also numerous. A few Little Auks (MerguJus alle) certainly 
turned up in November ; but they may have been more bent upon 
Sprat banquets than a feast of bloaters. A Cormorant was shot on 
the North river early in October. It had evidently left its quest 
of Herrings for a change of diet. 
Briefly summarised, the following are a few of the things which 
I thought worthy of notice. No Grey Mullet (Mugil capita ) 
appear to have been netted, and no Salmon Trout ( Sahno trutta). 
A Salmon of 22 lbs., in splendid condition, although at that time 
technically unfit, was entangled in a Herring net on October 13th. 
A few Surmullets (Mull us surmullet us) were caught with Mackerel, 
but the latter were not so eagerly pursued this year— fewer boats 
going out. As the Dory (Zeus faber), the Sea Breams (Pagellus), 
