THE FOOD AND GAME FISHES OF NEW YORK. 399 



as 1878, both in Germany and the United States. It has been estimated that the 

 annual yield of Sea Herring is 3,000,000,000 fish, principally taken in Norway. 



The Herring occurs on our east coast from Labrador to New York. When 

 found as far south as New York, it usually occurs in midwinter. Capt. Thurber 

 obtained it in Great South Bay in the fall. 



The young of the Sea Herring is well known as the whitebait of England and 

 the United States, though in the latter country the young of other species are 

 sometimes mingled with those of the Sea Herring. 



Many young, translucent fish of the genus Clupea, a little under 2 inches long, 

 are seen in spring in the shad fykes and pounds of Gravesend Bay. They are called 

 "shad bait," because they are said to be taken frequently from shad stomachs. 



Large Sea Herring, according to W. I. DeNyse, are rare in Gravesend Bay. 

 Only about 100 or 200 are obtained there during fall and winter. 



SEA HERRING. 



Young examples, from 4^4 to 6 inches long were obtained in the bay November 

 23, 1897. 



In the vicinity of Woods Hole, Mass., according to Dr. Smith, "schools of large 

 herring in spawning condition appear about October 15, and remain till very cold 

 weather sets in, their departure corresponding with that of the cod. By January 

 young herring ^ inch long are taken in surface tow nets; by May I, they are I to 

 \y inches long, and by August I, 2^ to 3 inches. Fish 3 to 5 inches long, called 

 "sperling" are found from September I to end of the season and are used for 

 mackerel bait. About June I, there is a large run of herring, smaller than those in 

 the fall run. This lasts two weeks, during which time the traps are full of them. 

 No use is made of the early run, but in fall they are caught in gill nets for food 

 and bait." 



