206 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



The obstructions in tlie Delaware have been almost entirely 

 overcome. In 1891 shad were caught higher up the Delaware 

 than for many years, and spawned in the upper reaches of the 

 river beyond the New York state line. In 1891 the Delaware, 

 for the first time since 1823, was restored to its normal condi- 

 tion by means of the fishway at Lackawaxen; and, according 

 to Col. Gay, it is at present the best shad river in the country. 

 The number of eggs obtained for artificialpropagationin the lower 

 river was unusually small, but the number naturally deposited in 

 the upper waters was greater than for many years. Col. Gay 

 observed a large number of big female shad at Gloucester City, 

 but a great scarcity of males. This necessitated a long run 

 up the river before spawning. The cause is believed to be the 

 low temperature of the water during May, the lack of rain 

 cutting off the usual supply of warm surface water and the 

 tributaries of the upper river bringing down nothing but cold 

 spring water, keeping the temperature of the river below the 

 normal for spawning purposes. Consequentlj^, the shad as 

 cended more than 300 miles. Mr Ford noticed that every pool 

 in the upper river was full of shad, and he saw them playing 

 in the water by hundreds. Mr Van Gordon saw them above 

 Port Jervis, and they were observed as far up as Deposit N. Y. 



The shad reaches a length of 2 feet. It is asserted that 50 

 years ago shad weighing from 8 to 13 pounds were not uncom- 

 mon in the Susquehanna. It is said that even larger individuals 

 were taken. In California the shad reaches a larger size than 

 it does in the east, specimens weighing from 13 to 14 pounds 

 being often seen in the markets. The average weight of females 

 is 4 or 5 pounds. The male is much smaller. 



The young shad remain in the rivers till the approach of cold 

 weather, when they descend to the sea, and they are usually 

 seen no more till they return as mature fish ready for repro- 

 duction. They are known to feed on small flies, crustaceans 

 and insect larvae. The}' have been fed with fresh-water cope- 

 pods and kept alive in this way till they had obtained a length 

 of more than 1 inch. In the carp ponds, at Washington, Dr 



