90 THE MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES OF ESSEX.
Genus TRIGLA, Artedi.
Trigla cuculus, Linn. Red Gurnard, or Elleck.
I have often caught this fish in the estuary of the Black-
water, opposite West Mersea. During those seasons in
which it occurs there, it may frequently be captured by means
of hooks and by trawling. Sometimes, according to my
experience, it appears to be absent for several seasons. I do
not consider it worth cooking.
Trigla hirundo, Linn. Tub-fish.
I have also taken this fish in the same estuary, but not so
frequently. The pectoral fins of the species are very beauti-
fully coloured.
Trigla gurnardus Linn. Bloch's, or the Grey, Gurnard.
I once, and once only, caught this fish in some numbers,
during September, in the Blackwater, off Mersea. In the
Appendix to Dale's History of Harwich (p. 431), under Grey
Gurnard, is the following statement: " This I have seen
caught in the sea before this [i.e., Harwich] harbour."
Trigla lyra, Linn. Piper.
Dale (loc. cit.) says : " This was caught near Harwich."
Family CATAPHRACTI.
Genus AGONUS, Bloch.
Agonus cataphractus, Bloch. Pogge.
This curious fish is very frequently taken in the shrimp
nets, and small ones may be often seen amongst the boiled
shrimps. Yarrell says {British Fishes, vol. i., p. 71): " On the
eastern coast it is very plentiful."