THE FOOD AND GAME FISHES OF NEW YORK. 



451 



It is abundant on our shores from Labrador to Virginia, and its young arc among 

 the commonest of the surface fishes in our bays and sounds, during the summer 

 months. The Hake reaches a weight of 40 pounds, but in the markets the average 

 weight is only about 10 pounds. The species frequents muddy bottoms and is 

 local in its habits. Its food consists of crabs and other crustaceans, besides small 

 fishes. 



The chief fishery for Hake takes place in the fall and winter months, and they 

 will take the hook at night as well as during the day. Trawl lines are the usual 

 implements of capture. 



SQUIRREL HAKE. 



141. Squirrel Hake (Eiiropliycis c/niss Walbaum). 



GaJiis loiigipcs MiTCHU.i., Rept. Fish. N. Y., 5, 1S14 ; Trans. Lit. & Phil. See. N. Y., I, 



372, pi. I, fig. 4, 1815, New York. 

 Phycis chuss Bean, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., IX, 372, 1897. 

 Urophycis chuss Jordan & Evermann, Bull. 47, U. S. Nat. Mus., Ill, 2555, 1898 ; IV, 



pi. CCCLXV, fig. 902, 1900. 



Brownish above, sides lighter and tinged with yellowish ; thickly punctulate with 

 darker; below pale ; inside of mouth white ; vertical fins somewhat dusky ; anal fin 

 margined with pale ; latci'al line not dark. 



According to Jordan and Evermann, this fish is sometimes called Codling. It 

 inhabits the Atlantic coast from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Virginia, being very 

 common northward. It is sometimes found in waters as deep as 300 fathoms. The 

 Squirrel Hake occurs occasionally in Gravesend Bay ; it lives usually in the deep 

 water off shore. 



At Woods Hole, Mass., according to Dr. Smith, it is abundant in May and June, 

 and in October an'.l November. It fills the traps and causes the fishermen much 

 annoyance, as they cannot sell the fish. Its weight there is from 2 to 5 pounds. In 

 Massachusetts Bay it is less abundant than tlie Common Hake. It was described 

 and figured by Storer in 1867, under the name Phycis filamcntosus. 



