260 Ayres' Enutneration of the 



species : by some persons, however, they are very highly es- 

 teemed. 



POGONIAS GIGAS. Mitch. 



The fishermen have told me, that about ten years since the 

 Drum-Fish made their appearance in the Sound, but remain- 

 ed only a short time. On the south side they are often 

 caught. 



ScoLOPsiDES Sayanus. Gilliams. 



This species appears to be rare ; I have met with it in but 

 one stream — the Connecticut. In general, it lies hid among 

 the grass, with which the river abounds, and is seldom seen 

 except when started from its hiding place. It is described in 

 the fourth volume of the Journal of the Academy of Natural 

 Sciences. 



Sargus ovis. Mitch. 



The Sheeps-head is now very rare, much more so than for- 

 merly. In three years I have been unable to obtain a single 

 specimen, though I have seen one or two while fishing. In 

 the South Bay, near Fire Island Inlet, they are still taken in 

 some numbers, and a few also in Gardiner's Bay, near the end 

 of the Island. 



Pagrus argyrops. Lin. 



The P or gee is in general very abundant through the sum- 

 mer, and takes the hook readily : they are caught in great 

 numbers, and are much used as food. With few exceptions, 

 they do not exceed nine inches in length ; and in September 

 I have seen hundreds of young ones, not more than two inches 

 long, brought in at one haul of the net. They arrived the 

 last season about the first of June, and remained till October. 

 The dorsal fin-rays of this species I have found to be some- 

 times 25, and sometimes 26 ; Dr. Storer states them at 24, 

 Dr. Mitchill at 26. 



Scomber vernalis. Mitch. 



Several years ago this Mackerel appeared in the Sound and 

 for a few weeks was very abundant on the north side of the 



