REVIEW OF LOCAL FISHES 73 



ten feet or more and a weight of fifteen hundred pounds, whereas a Bonito 

 of ten or twelve pounds is of unusual size. The color markings of narrow 

 dark stripes running obliquely downward and forward on the back and 

 sides distinguish the Bonito from similar fishes. Our knowledge of the 

 occurrence of Albacore and Tunny is limited. Of irregular appearance 

 with us in summer, doubtless both species are at times more or less 

 common offshore. The Tunny has long been the object of extensive 

 fisheries in the Mediterranean and is the Tuna of California sportsmen. 

 The Bonito, on the other hand, is one of the most abundant offshore 

 summer fishes near New York with habits similar to those of the Blue- 

 fish. From its custom of leaping clear into the air and then falling back 

 into the water again, it has been given locally the name " Skipjack." 



Swordfish, Sailfish and Cutlass Fish are unquestionably related to 

 the mackerels but of a very un-mackerel-like appearance. The great 

 Swordfish has the upper jaw prolonged into a flattened bony sword which 

 structure alone will distinguish it from any other fish. The species 

 doubtless occurs in summer with more or less regularity though there 

 are no Swordfish grounds in this immediate vicinity. The maximum 

 weight of the Swordfish is 600 to 800 pounds, though it is usually smaller, 

 400 pounds or less. The Sailfish is another large species with a somewhat 

 similar but cylindrical instead of flattened bony extension of the upper 

 jaw. It also has the spiny back fin greatly enlarged, extending almost the 

 entire length of the back and rising high above it. When the fish is 

 swimming at the surface this fin projects into the air and is even said to 

 function as a sail. The Sailfish is a southern form only accidental with 

 us. The silver Cutlass Fish is a third very different species. It is a rare 

 straggler in late summer from the south, a band-like, elongate fish a foot 

 or two in length, with large eyes, a formidable mouth, a low fin ex- 

 tending the entire length of the back, and a finless tail ending in a 

 thread-like process. 



The Pompanos are a large family of fishes, mackerel-like in habit 

 and appearance, whose true relationship to the mackerels is somewhat 

 doubtful. They characteristically have the scales small and inconspicu- 

 ous except for those on the posterior portion of the lateral line which are 

 often enlarged and heavily keeled. The first dorsal fin is short, of 

 weak spines, situated just in front of the longer soft-rayed second dorsal. 

 The Gascon has the entire lateral line with enlarged keeled scutes instead 

 of merely the posterior part of it. It is an European fish accidental on 

 our coast. The Scad is another small species which may be recognized 



