2 14 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF 



27. Pomolobus mediocris {MitclnH). Hickory Shad. — The hickory shad is 

 caught in Gravesend Bay during September, October and November, but not in such 

 numbers as were found some years ago. 



The hickory shad arriving in Fulton Market, October 30, 1896, each contained in 

 the stomach from fifteen to twenty sand launce, from 3 3^ to 5 inches long. The shad 

 are large, weighing from one-half pound to 2 ^2 pounds. They were shipped from 

 nearby waters. 



28. Pomolobus pseudoharengus {Wilson). Branch Herrixc. — This alewife 

 is the first to make its appearance in Gravesend Bay. It comes with the shad. No 

 attempt has yet been made to keep it in captivity here, but there is no reason to doubt 

 that it would do as well as the shad, menhaden and herring now (December 7, 1S97) 

 living in the central pool. On November 30, 1897, examples above seven inches 

 long were brought from Gravesend Bay. 



29. Pomolobus aestivalis {Mitcliill). Gi.ct Herrixc;. — On November 23, 1897, 

 Mr. De Nyse sent from Gravesend Bay a glut herring 6^4 inches long and i ^^g inches 

 deep, evidently the young of the year. It is known in the bay as shad herring. On 

 November 30 two individuals, evidently fish of the year, measuring about seven 

 inches, were brought in from the same bay. 



30. Alosa sapidissima {Wilson). Sh.ad. — Mr. W. I. De Nyse says it is a com- 

 mon thing in the fall of the year to take large quantities of young shad in nets set off 

 shore in Gravesend Bay — sometimes a ton and a half in a haul ; that is during the 

 migration seaward. They are usually about 6 to 8 inches long. In John B. De 

 Nyse's pound sixty or se\-enty were caught October 17, 1895. A male 11 inches 

 long and 244 inches deep, and a female 12 inches long and 3 inches deep, were 

 brought to the Aquarium. None were taken after October 31, in 1895 ; but on that 

 date a male 13 inches long and 3 i/C inches deep, and a female i^Y^ inches long and 

 3!/^ inches deep, were secured. The male had two lernsan parasites on its back just 

 below the dorsal fin. Mr. \V. I. De Nyse states that this parasite is always found 

 along the backbone. 



On October 8, 1896, a shad about 4^2 inches long and one about 9 inches were 

 taken in Gravesend Bay. Apparently the shad do not all remain at sea after their 

 first migration until they are sexually mature. 



Mr. John B. De Nyse informs me that in the first spring run of small shad, fully 

 ninety per cent, are males. 



31. Harengula species. — An individual about 9 inches long was brought in dead 

 from Gravesend Bay in 1895. This was the only one observed in that locality, and it 



