THE FOOD AND GAME FISHES OF NEW YORK. 413 



arrival recorded in 25 years. Formerly the young were abundant everywhere, but 

 at present they are restricted to a few localities — Katama Bay, Quisset Harbor and 

 Wareham River. The first fry were seined July 31 and measured 3/^ of an inch in 

 length. On October 20, young fish 2 to 3 inches long were very plentiful in 

 Katama Bay. 



In 1884 the writer obtained young examples only, and these in moderate 

 numbers, at Fire Island near the end of September. In 1890 a few individuals were 

 observed in a net at Islip. In 1898, adults were taken in abundance off shore at 

 Southampton in August and half-grown specimens were secured from a pound at 

 Islip. Young Sea Bass were rather common at Point of Woods, Great South 

 Bay, Clam Pond Cove, Fire Island Inlet, Oak Island Beach, and Nichols's Point. 

 In the summer of 1901, early July to the middle of October, only a few young 

 individuals were taken, and these were secured in eel pots off Widow's Creek, Great 

 South Bay. 



The Sea Bass makes its appearance in Gravesend Bay in May. It is not 

 abundant. The young in October are found in the eel grass, measuring from i]^ to 

 2 inches in length. The species is well adapted to life in aquarium tanks during all 

 but the coldest months. 



The Sea Bass is distinguished for its voracity and its persistent biting. The 

 young are found in the channels of shallow bays and about wharves and landings. 

 Large fish frequent the off-shore banks where the bottom is rocky. A famous 

 locality is Five Fathom Bank, off the coast of New Jersey. In the shallow waters 

 of Great Egg Harbor Bay, hundreds of small-sized Sea Bass may be taken in a day, 

 and it is difficult to find a locality which is free from them. Their food consists of 

 shrimps, crabs, sea worms, squid, small fishes and all other animals of suitable size. 

 The species is sluggish in its habits and resembles the Tautog in its tendency to hide 

 in rock crevices. The Sea Bass breeds in the summer months and the young grow 

 rapidly. The eggs have been hatched artifically, and when it becomes desirable the 

 fry can be produced in vast quantities. The eggs are /^g of an inch in diameter and 

 hatch in 5 days in water at the temperature of 59° or 60° F. At Woods Hole, Mass., 

 they are deposited in June. 



This is a valuable food fish, reaching a length of 18 inches and the weight of 6 

 pounds. 



