342 



AMERICAN FISHES. 



stomachs filled to the greatest possible extent, and capelin in their mouths 

 which they were miable to swallow for want of room, and in this condition 

 they were still biting at the hook. They even feed upon the young of 

 their own kind. They are said to feed largely upon herring spawn, 

 though they are not seen in great numbers, about the spawning grounds 

 until the schools of parent fish have departed. The herring, also, is a 

 favorite article of food, and when these fish approach the shores or are 

 seen on the banks, it is a very good sign that Cod will soon be abundant. 

 Mr. Earll remarks : 



" I am told that in the spring of 1879 an immense school of herring 

 moved closely across George's Bank, and that with them came the largest 

 school of Cod that has been seen in that locality for a long time. The 

 Cod remained constantly among the herring, so that when the lattter had 

 passed the fishing fleet, the vessels were obliged to weigh anchor and fol- 

 low them in order to secure the Cod. 



''About Provincetown the common squid sometimes appear in great 

 numbers, and they are most vigorously preyed upon by the Cod." 



The same accurate observer gives the following notes concerning their 

 food while breeding : 



" During the spawning season the Codfish cease to search for food, and 

 give less attention to feeding than at other times, though they will 

 usually take the bait when placed before them. That they do not search 

 for food is shown by the fact that the pasture school remained within a 

 few miles of a large school of sperling without being drawn after them ; 

 and that the Ipswich Bay school was largest after the sperling had left the 

 coast, and remained for a number of months on sandy wastes which sup- 

 ported only three species of invertebrates, Biiccinum undatuni, Fusiis 

 species, and Asterias vulgaris, in any considerable abundance. The 

 examination of the stomachs of several hundred individuals showed four- 

 fifths of all to be entirely empty, while a greater part of the remainder 

 contained only bait picked trom the trawls of the fishermen. A small 

 number contained fish of one or more species that had probably been 

 captured in the locality, while a few scattering invertebrates were found. 

 Of the species mentioned as abundant on the grounds, not a star-fish and 

 but two shells of one species and one of the other are found. But it was 

 clearly shown that the fish would not refuse food, for often the stomachs 

 were well filled with bait picked from the trawl before the fish were hooked. 

 From ten to fifteen pieces were frequently found, and in one case eigh- 

 teen were counted. 



"The females when fully ripe seemed less willing to feed than at other 

 times, and few were caught with the moving hand-lines ; but when the 



