82 
AMERICAN FISHES . 
waters about the month of April and continues with us until November, 
when the largest are taken. I have found in the stomach of this animal 
only the remains of small fish, and yet it takes hook readily when baited 
with shrimps and clams. It is found along the coast from Georgia to Vir¬ 
ginia, where it is called “Hog-fish,” and is held in great estimation by 
epicures.” 
“On the Gulf coast,” writes Stearns, “it is common everywhere and 
throughout the year it lives in shallow water among the grass, feeding 
upon small crustaceous animals. It spawns in April and May, and is 
a choice food-fish. The average length is about ten inches.” Stearns 
also refers to three species known respectively as the “ White,” “ Yellow ” 
and “ Black” Grunt, which are found at Key West and upon the neigh¬ 
boring reef in great abundance. He states that “ they are taken with 
hook and line, and are brought daily into market. Before the poisoned 
water visited that neighborhood the Grunt was the most important as well 
as the favorite food-fish in the market, but since then they have been 
scarce, and other fish, to a great extent, have taken their place.” 
On the coast of California, especially southward, occur two species of 
this family; one, known by the name “Sargo,” Pristipoma David- 
soni , is found from San Pedro southward to Cerros Island, chiefly about 
the islands, and is nowhere common. It feeds on crustaceans, and is a 
a good pan-fish, but is too scarce to have much economic value. It 
reaches a length of about fifteen inches. Still another, Xenistius califor- 
niensis Steindachner, occurs from San Diego to Cape San Lucas. It is 
too scarce to be of any importance for food. 
