Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/596

562 stance" of the Herring fishery affords interesting reading. Food is seldom found in the stomachs of Herrings, yet they must devour myriads of Crustacea and Entomostraca. I dissected a six-inch example found on the south beach, April 13th, 1890; its maw contained 143 Opossum Shrimps. Have also found a six-inch example full of roe. Some imported Norway Herrings, on Dec. 17th, 1895, measured 15 in., girth 7 in., weight 14½ oz. A 'long-shore averages 10 in. I believe the Norway variety is simply aged Herrings.

C. sprattus. Sprat. C.—Abundant in October and November. Most of those sold hail from Aldeburgh and Southwold. Local boats no longer venture out for the fishing. On Dec. 5th, 1895, I examined some sprats; the ova were discernible with a strong lens. An unusual and out-of-season catch was made the third week in February, 1896, when roe and milt were found well developed. The ova differed very little in relative size from those of a Herring. I consider the Sprat spawns in March, at no great distance from the land.

C. alosa. Allis Shad. R.R.—Draw-netters occasionally fall in with the species. "Not uncommon with the Herrings" (Pagets). One taken near Norwich, 1840. Numerous (Twaite's also), May, 1895. Several, 7½ in. to 9 in., examples washed ashore, May 4th, 1891. One taken April 27th, 1893, weighed 4¾ lb.

C. finta. Twait Shad. R.R.—One taken in draw-net, April 19th, 1893. Length, 17 in.; weight, 4¾ lb. The Pagets do not mention this species. Seen it netted on Breydon. Usual number of spots on either side, nine. Saw one, May, 1895, with fifteen.

C. pilchardus. Pilchard. R.R.—Occasionally straggles into the Herring shoals. Fish curers who detect the species invariably nail it up "for luck" on a beam in the curing honse. "Some few generally taken every year in the Herring nets; in some years they have been abundant, as in 1780 and 1790; and in 1799 so many were taken that one 'tower' received upwards of a 'last' as his perquisite" (Pagets). Nearly every year a few are observed.

Anguilla vulgaris. Sharp-nosed Eel. C.—The largest local record is as follows: March 26th, 1808, one taken in the river between the harbour mouth and Haven bridge. Length, 6 ft.;