What is "alfione"

Sprat \Sprat\ (spr[a^]t), n. [OE. sprot, sprotte, D. sprot; akin to G. sprotte.] (Zo["o]l.)

1. A small European herring ( Clupea sprattus) closely allied to the common herring and the pilchard; -- called also garvie. The name is also applied to small herring of different kinds.

2. A California surf-fish ( Rhacochilus toxotes); -- called also alfione, and perch. Sprat borer (Zo["o]l.), the red-throated diver; -- so called from its fondness for sprats. See Diver. Sprat loon. (Zo["o]l.)

   1. The young of the great northern diver. [Prov. Eng.]

   2. The red-throated diver. See Diver.

      Sprat mew (Zo["o]l.), the kittiwake gull.

n. An edible marine fish of California ((taxlink Rhacochilus toxotes species noshow=1)).