TAUTOG, CHOGSET AND PARROT-FISH. 297 



lutionary times. This name also is of English origin, certain species of 

 this family being called " Bergylt " in parts of England." This name 

 appears to hold in Eastern Long Island at the present time. At Province- 

 town they are called " Sea-perch," and at the Isle of Shoals and 

 occasionally on the adjoining mainland, "Blue-perch" and "Perch," 

 this also being a reminiscence of English usage. At Salem they are called 

 " Nippers," and occasionally here and elsewhere " Bait-stealers." About 

 where dinners are found at all, they are exceedingly abundant, and, 

 though performing a useful duty as scavengers, are a pest of fishermen. 

 from their habit of nibbling the bait from their hooks. They are the 

 especial detestation of those who fish for Tautog, since the two species are 

 ordinarily found together. Their food is very similar to that of the Tau- 

 tog, except that they cannot swallow large shells. They feed also upon 

 dead animal matter, and are among the most important scavengers of our 

 harbors. Numbers of them may be taken by lowering a net containing a 

 piece of meat or fish and quickly raising it to the surface. Like the Tau- 

 togs, dinners are local in their habits, only moving from the shoal water 

 in extreme cold weather, and, though adapted for living in colder water, 

 rarely retreat except in the severest weather. In winter, however, they 

 are rarely caught with the hook. The first of the season of 18S1 at 

 Gloucester, were caught May S. A very cold season sometimes destroys 

 them. It is recorded that in January, 1835, great quantities were frozen 

 and thrown up on the shore between Gloucester and Marblehead.* In 

 June and July they spawn on their feeding grounds in Southern New 

 England, and in July and August fish three-quarters of an inch, or more, 

 in length are taken abundantly along the shores. They appear to become 

 adult and to breed when three inches long. The largest I have observed 

 was taken at Woods Holl, in July, 1S75 ; its weight was twelve ounces, 

 its length ten and a half inches, and it was spawning freely. Storer 

 claims to have seen them fourteen inches long, and I am assured that they 

 sometimes attain a weight of two pounds. 



From Eastport, Maine, to the vicinity of Boston, the dinner is a favorite 

 article of food. Elsewhere it is rarely eaten and is usually regarded with 

 disgust — a foolish prejudice, for it is one of the most agreeably flavored 

 among the small fishes on our coast. Immense quantities are taken with 

 the hook from the rocks, bridges, and boats, especially in the vicinity of 



* Gloucester Telegraph, January 14, 1S35. 



