128 
AMERICAN FISHES. 
what reason it is difficult to understand, for the Whiting of Bermuda at the 
present day is a fish very unlike that of our Southern coast. 
The “ Surf Whiting,” according to Jordan, is not rare at Charleston, 
and in the Gulf of Mexico is as common as the other species, but is chiefly 
found in the surf, and hence is less frequently brought into the markets. 
Speaking of the game qualities of the two species, S. C. Clarke writes 
that they bite much like the trout, seizing the bait with a rush—that they 
are strong and active, and make a good fight for their size. He recom¬ 
mends a trout bait rod, fine line, reel, and two small hooks. For bait he 
uses cut mullet and fishes on or near the bottom of a sandy strong-tided 
channel, at half tide. 
The Bagre, Menticirrus undulatus , is an allied form, member of our 
Pacific family. It reaches a length of twenty inches, and a weight of four 
or five pounds. It is found close to shore from Point Conception south¬ 
ward to Cerros Island, and is generally abundant. It feeds on Crustacea, 
spawns in July, and is a food-fish of fair quality. In appearance and in 
value it approaches closely to the Surf Whiting of the Atlantic, M. lit- 
toralus. 
The Queen-fish, Seriphus politics , is also known as “ King-fish ” in 
California. It reaches, says Jordan, a length of eight inches, and a weight 
of half a pound. It ranges from Tomales Bay southward, and is abundant 
in summer, when it is found in great numbers in the surf along sandy 
shores. Enormous numbers of them are sometimes taken in seines, 
especially at Santa Barbara and Soquel. It is not often brought into the 
San Francisco market. It feeds on small fishes and crustaceans. It 
spawns in summer. It is a food-fish of excellent quality, but is too small to 
possess much economic value. 
