SNAPPERS AND RED-MOUTHS. 
81 
closely related genus is the “ Hog-fish,” or “ Grunt,” of the Chesapeake, 
and called also “ Pig-fish ” or “ Grunt ” in the Gulf of Mexico, and “ Pork- 
fish ” and “Whiting” at Key West, and known in South Carolina and 
the St. John’s River, Fla., as well, as in Bermuda under the name of 
“Sailor’s Choice. Its colors are as follows: Above, pale brown;, 
belly, silvery; sides marked with numerous orange-colored or yellow 
spots; those above the lateral line disposed in irregular oblique lines, 
those below it in horizontal rows. Dorsal, anal and caudal fins with 
similar spots ; sides of the head pale bluish with a silvery tint and marked 
with yellow spots ; lower jaw, orange at the angle of the mouth ; internal 
surface of the gill membrane bright orange.” 
This species was first described by Mitchill from a’specimen taken in 
the bay of New York. The National Museum has many specimens from 
various parts of the Southern coast and the Gulf of Mexico. “In New 
York,” wrote DeKay in 1842, “this is a rare fish, but occasionally ap¬ 
pearing, as I am informed, in our harbor in considerable numbers. It is 
a very savory food.” Prof. Baird did not find it on the coast of New 
Jersey in 1854. It occurs in the salt water of the lower part of the Chesa¬ 
peake Bay, and is much esteemed for food, being perhaps the most popu¬ 
lar pan-fish of the Lower Chesapeake. 
At Beaufort, N. C., where it is also called “ Hog-fish,” according to 
Jordan, it is extremely common everywhere in the harbor. Holbrook 
wrote about i860: “The ‘ Sailor’s Choice’ makes its appearance in our 
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