196 
FLOUNUEK. 
three weeks in securing them. It is also known to be common 
throughout the Baltic, and, Ekstrom says, up to the sixtieth 
degree of latitude. 
In the younger stages of their existence these fishes are 
devoured in large numbers by predaceous fishes and the larger 
diving hu-ds, and an instance of this has been already given 
in our account of the habits of the Doree; hut the loon (diver,) 
cormorant, and shag are more voracious enemies, while their 
sharp bills enable these birds to grasp them beyond the chance 
of escape. But to gulp down so wide a prey is not found 
so easy as to seize it, and it is amusing to the spectator to 
see the contrivance adopted by these birds to succeed in the 
attempt. The fish is to be first pecked in such a manner as 
to break or dislocate the bones, which can only be effected after 
repeated and violent efforts. The sides are then rolled together, 
like a sheet of paper, and with the head foremost the whole 
is safely passed into the capacious gullet. We may add here 
that if the prey be a crab it is taken to the surface, and the 
bird makes successive pecks at the legs, which, when struck 
wdth violence, are thrown off in succession by an effort of 
the animal, and duly swallowed, and the naked body is 
swallowed last of all. A Launce or Shanny is held aloft by 
the tail, or across the mouth, and then thrown into the air, 
when some skill is shewn in catching the fish with the head 
in the right direction, and it passes easily into the stomach. 
I have found the roc of full size from the middle of 
December, the spawn being deposited in the tide-way of 
rivers; and 1 have also knowm the young to be excmded 
about the end of April, when they may be seen in the stiller 
parts of pools, their structure easily seen through, and moving 
in all directions, either flat or on their edge. 
With us this fish seldom exceeds the length of a foot, and 
the heaviest I have a memorandum of weighed a pound and 
a half; but it is said to have acquired a much larger size. 
There is reason to suppose that the females are larger than 
the males. An example eleven inches and a half long measured 
four inches and a half in breadth, exclusive of the fins. The 
general shape bears a resemblance to that of the Plaice; gape 
moderate; mouth twisted, arched; under jaw a little protruded; 
teeth slender. Eyes rather large, the lower one slightly in 
