41 8 SEVENTH REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



individuals are rarely seen even as far north as New Jersey, but the young are 

 common. 



At Beesley's Point, N. J., August lo, 1887, many young individuals were taken 

 in the seine. D. XII, 16; A. Ill, 13; scales, 75. 



A dark stripe beginning on nape and dividing sends one branch along the back 

 on each side not far from dorsal outline ; a dark stripe from eye to root of caudal ; 

 cheeks and opercles with several narrow orange stripes; a narrow orange stripe 

 between the two dark body stripes and another below the lower dark stripe; 

 below the second orange stripe are numerous orange spots, not continuous. These 

 specimens are from less than i inch to more than 2 inches long. 



V 



Young examples were seined at Somers Point, August 13, and abundantl}- at 

 Ocean City, August 16. The croaking sound made by these little fishes is quite 

 noticeable. 



September 5, Mr. W. S. Keates brought in two examples which had been caught 

 on a hook with clam bait; these are ^^ inches long, and much larger than the 

 average size. Specimens from 4^ to 5 inches long were caught at Beesley's Point 

 August 23 ; in these there is only a trace of the black lateral stripe along the 

 median line, and the sides have several broad, dark bands. 



September 9 an indi\-idaal 5 '3 inches long was taken at Beesley's Point. This 

 species is unknown to the fishermen. One angler described its croaking as 

 resembling the quacking of a duck. 



Several examples were taken in Gravesend Bay, October 24, 1894. DeKay 

 mentions it as a rare fish, but occasionally appearing, he was informed, in New York 

 Harbor in considerable numbers. He states that it is a very savory food. 



