Fishes of Brookhaven, L. I. 259 



I have found the two dorsals of this species numbering for fin 

 rays 10 — 14 ; in others, 10 — 13 ; and once 9 — 15 ; in one 

 instance I found the pectorals giving 14 on one side of the fish, 

 and 15 on the other, thus affording fair exemplifications of the 

 remarks made while speaking of the Perca Jiavescens. 



COTTUS VARIABILIS. Nobis. 



This species, which I believe, is as yet undescribed, is not 

 common. They are seen around wharves, &c., in the har- 

 bors, and I have known them, in one or two instances, taken 

 in the Sound. The largest one I have seen was six and a 

 half inches in length. 



Gasterosteus Noveboracensis. Cuv. 



The NeiD York Stickleback is very common in Old Man's 



Harbor, in the parts least affected by the running of the tide. 



They live chiefly among the eel-grass, but I have taken the 



young ones swimming in companies near the surface in clear 



water. 



Gasterosteus millepunctatus. Nobis. 



In similar situations with the last. This is perhaps the most 

 abundant species in the harbor ; it appears as yet undescribed. 

 I have specimens, taken from the freshwater of the Connec- 

 ticut River, on the south side of the island, which differ from 

 these only in being a little stouter, and perhaps a trifle darker 



in color, 



Otolithus regalis. Cuv. 



Fifteen or twenty years ago, the Weak-Fish were abund- 

 ant in the Sound, and were taken readily with the hook ; now, 

 however, they have almost entirely disappeared. Only strag- 

 glers are caught with the nets, and they are small : the largest 

 I have met with weighed only about a pound and a half. On 

 the south side of the island they are more common, and are 

 occasionally found of ten or twelve pounds weight. 



Umbrina nebulosa. Mitch. 



The King-Fish is not uncommon, being often caught in 

 the nets; and in certain situations they bite very readily. I 

 do not consider them equal in flavor to many other of our 



