112 THE MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES OF ESSEX.
in Dagenham Breach, where it is still plentiful (Land and
Water, August 4th, 1888, p. 134; ibid., August 25th, p. 221 ;
and The Field, June 18th, 1881, p. 835).
Abramis blicca, Agass. White Bream or Bream Flat.
It occurs in the Essex and Suffolk Stour, also in the Lea
(Lieut. Croft in Trans. Herts. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. ii., p. 12).
It is not so common as the last species.
Genus ALBURNUS, Heckel.
Alburnus lucidus, Hackel. Bleak.
Day says (Fishes of Great Britain, vol. ii., p. 200) this is
found in the Lea. It is also in Lieutenant Croft's list. I do
not think the Bleak is known in any other Essex river.
Genus Nemacheilus, Van Hasselt.
Nemacheilus barbatula, Gunther. Loach.
A fish generally distributed in all our streams, especially
where the current is rapid and the bottom gravelly. It is
very frequent at Lexden Springs. A lake at Elsenham Hall
was said by Mr. A. Gilbey to abound with Loaches some years
ago (Field, Feb. 7th, 1880, p. 153). Couch mentions the
peculiar habits of this fish, which, at the approach of any
striking change in wind or weather, becomes greatly excited,
and often throws itself far out of the water.
Family CLUPEIDAE, Cuvier.
Genus ENGRAULIS, Cuvier.
Engraulis encrasicholus, Cuvier. Anchovy.
Day (Fishes of Great Britain, vol. ii., p. 207) gives
instances of the capture of this fish on the Essex Coast; and
Yarrell (vol. i., p. 153) says: "It is reported to be at this
time an inhabitant of- the piece of water below Blackwall,
called Dagenham Breach."