Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/586

552 from an example measuring 10½ in. They oozed forth on the slightest pressure. Local, "Eel-pout."

* Atherina presbyter. Atherine. F.—Very numerous in Lowestoft harbour in summer months, where it affords immense diversion to visitors who angle for it. As a rule it is uncommon at Yarmouth, a few turning up now and again amongst Smelts. A great quantity caught off Gorleston in 1891; but there was no demand for them as food. Local, "Smolt," "Sand Smelt."

Mugil capito. Grey Mullet. F.—Very uncertain in its visits. Was formerly very plentiful on Breydon in summer, where shoals abounded amongst the Potamogeton or "wigeon-grass," seeking a vegetarian dietary. Very difficult to ensnare: "poke"-nets, i.e. a small-meshed net, have nets of much larger mesh on either side, and, rushing against these, the fish bagged itself. Frequently a whole school would jump over and escape. On Sept. 2nd, 1880, a 22-inch specimen took a Mussel bait at the fish wharf. No local angler has successfully fished for it. Becoming yearly scarcer; undoubtedly owing to the increasing sewage polluting the rivers, and the shoaling up of the "flats."

* M. chelo. Lesser Grey Mullet. A.—A lad, throwing out a line from a raft, close by Breydon, accidentally hooked a specimen of what Dr. Günther has decided to be the variety of M. chelo known as M. septentrionalis. This was on Nov. 10th, 1890. Length, 7½ in. Without doubt M. chelo sometimes occurs.

Labrus maculatus. Ballan Wrasse. A.—"A young one, about eight inches long, was taken with a hook in the outer harbour at Lowestoft in August, 1852" (J.H.G.). Dr. Lowe records one: "Yarmouth, April 15th, 1868."

Gadus morrhua. Cod. C.—Great numbers of Codlings are taken in some winters from the piers; crowds of small ones occasionally, in October, swarm up the Yare to Breydon, where they give unlimited sport, taking Mussel by preference. Their stomachs are generally found crammed with Shore Crabs (Carcinus mœnas; local, "Sea Sammies"). Curiously, the Lugworm (Arenicola piscatorium) is the favourite pier-bait. Sometimes huge Cods are taken. The Scotchmen who "drift" for Herrings supplement their catches by lining for Cod; and large specimens are taken off Winterton in the winter months by "long-liners." I have found a Cod's maw full of Norwegian Lobsters (Nephrops norvegicus).