Sundry and manifold are our obligations to this delightful Journal. From
the Number (26) for the present month we glean the following:
_The Gurnard and Sprat._
Mr. J. Couch, in an interesting paper on the fishes of Cornwall, has the
following notes:
"Ray observes that the word gurnard, which may be regarded as the
English term, is derived _a grunnitu_, from grunting like a hog. In
this, however, I venture to think this eminent naturalist mistaken.
Pengurn is the ancient Cornu-British name for these fishes, and
signifies hard head; and its English translation is now sometimes given
to the grey gurnard. From the Cornish word _gurn_ (hard), I therefore
derive the name, as descriptive of the head of these species. This is a
common fish at all seasons; but in December and January it sometimes
abounds to such a degree, that, as they are not much esteemed, I have
known them sold at thirty for a penny. It keeps near the bottom
commonly, at no great distance from land; but sometimes multitudes will
mount together to the surface; and move along with the first dorsal fin
above the water: they will even quit their native element, and spring to
the distance of a yard; thus imitating the flying gurnard, though not to
the same extent. In summer they are found basking in the sun, perhaps
asleep, as they will at times display no signs of animation, until an
attempt is made to seize them.
"In reference to some observations by Mr. Yarrell, in the _Zoological
Journal_, relative to the distinction between the sprat and the young of
the pilchard and herring, I can state that Cornish fishermen term the
young of both the latter fishes sprats; but, how far this should go in
determining the judgment of a naturalist will appear, when I add that I
have never seen above one specimen of the genuine sprat in Cornwall, and
that was brought me by a fisherman, to be informed what fish it was. In
taking fish out of his net by night, he felt it to be neither a pilchard
nor a herring, and supposed it something rare."
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