COD, POLLOCK, HADDOCK AND HAKE. 357 



Capt. Atwood states that in 1834 Haddock were very scarce on the 

 ■Grand Bank, and itw were caught anywhere on the coast, but in 1S40 

 they became so numerous about Cape Cod as to interfere seriously with 

 the Cod fishery, devouring the bait before the Cod could reach it, and 

 about 1850 they had increased so rapidly that the markets were glutted. 

 In 1864 they were caught in great numbers and were still on the increase. 

 In 1 8 70 the same observer related to the Massachusetts senate the story of 

 another period of scarcity and abundance. His statements may be found 

 in the report of the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 

 Part I, 1873, p. 119. 



The food of the Haddock resembles that of the Cod, except that they 

 are, if possible, more omnivorous ; their diet consists, however, largely of 

 invertebrates. They are rarely seen feeding at the surface, though they 

 devour the spawn of other fishes, particularly that of the herring, with 

 great eagerness. They devour great quantities of shells, many of them of 

 the burrowing species. Prof. Yerrill has well said that a complete list of 

 the animals devoured by the Haddock would doubtless include all the 

 mollusks belonging to the fauna of New England. 



The Haddock are said to be particularly abundant on clam-banks. 

 From this habit of feeding on shells has originated the German name for 

 the fish. The difference between the habits of the Haddock and the Cod 

 is illustrated by the remark of Capt. Atwood that Haddock will take a 

 baited hook as it rests upon the ground, while the Cod will only notice it 

 Avhen it is raised a short distance from the bottom. Salted menhaden is a 

 favorite bait for Haddock, but not desirable for Cod, while both Cod 

 and Haddock will readily take stale clams, which are much better for bait 

 than fresh ones. 



On the German coast the Haddock spawn on rocky bottoms in February 

 and early March at a depth of twenty-two to twenty-five fathoms ; and 

 according to Yarrow the spawning period is the same on the British coast, 

 the young growing to a length of six or seven inches before the beginning 

 of September. At the Loffoden Isles, according to Sars, the spawning 

 season of the Haddock takes place a little later, beginning toward the end 

 of February and being at its height late in March. At Cape Ann the 

 season is in late April, May and June. 



The average size of the Haddock is probably not far from three or four 

 pounds; many twelve-pound fish are brought to market, and individuals 

 weighing seventeen pounds are on record. 



