TAUTOG, CHOGSET AND PARROr-FISH. 289 



already referred to, and in 1776 it was stated by Schoepf that it was very 

 abundant in summer at New York. It is in greatest abundance between 

 the southern angle of Cape Cod and the Capes of Delaware, which would 

 indicate that within these limits, at least, the species has always existed. 

 The waters of Long Island Sound and those immediately adjoining seem 

 especially well adapted for its residence. 



Mitchill, writing in 1S14, remarked: "The Tautog was not originally 

 known in Massachusetts Bay; but within a few years he has been carried 

 beyond Cape Cod, and has multiplied so abundantly that the Boston mar- 

 ket has now a full supply without the necessity of importing from Newport 

 and Providence." This statement is confirmed, in a way, by Mr. Isaac 

 Hinkley, of Philadelphia, who tells me that in 1S24, he saw several indi 

 viduals from Cohasset Rocks, Jerusalem Road, Mass., and that the fish was 

 at that time said by the fishermen to be entirely new to them. Storer, 

 writing about 1867, remarked: "Although a few years only has passed 

 since this species was brought into Massachusetts Bay, it is now taken 

 along a large portion of the coast. At Plymouth, Nahant, and Lynn, at 

 some seasons, it is found in considerable numbers, and is frequently caught 

 from the bridges leading from Boston. The Boston market is for the most 

 part supplied by Plymouth and Wellfleet." As early as 1S51, they had 

 spread northward to the Bay of Fundy, and in that year it is stated that 

 many were sold in the fish market at St. John, the largest of which weighed 

 eight pounds ; Mr. Lanman wrote that he obtained there in July and 

 August specimens nineteen inches long, and weighing four pounds. 



The rocky shores of Cape Ann seem particularly well adapted to its 

 peculiar habits, and large numbers are annually obtained from the Rocks. 

 So long has it been acclimated, and so well known is it, that the local 

 authorities of that region are inclined to doubt that it is not native. The 

 "Gloucester Telegraph" of May 5, 1S60, challenged the statement 

 that the Tautog Avas a new fish, declaring that many years ago they were 

 very plenty, and that after a period of scarcity they reappeared. So 

 abundant had they become in 1836 in the harbor of Wellfleet, Mass., that 

 three Connecticut smacks were accustomed summer after summer to devote 

 their entire energies to their capture in this locality, and this fishery has 

 continued up to the present day. In sandy localities, like the harbor of 

 Provincetown, they have never secured a firm hold, though large specimens 

 are sometimes taken under the wharves. 



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