100 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



but not unprecedented, occurrence. (See Goode, Nat. Hist, of Aquatic 

 Animals, 1884, p. 284.) 

 Season in R. I.: Usually arrive at Rhode Island about May 1. In 1905 

 they arrived first in Sakonnet River on April 28. The first catch was 

 on May 2 in the scup traps off Sakonnet. June 3 they appeared off 

 the Cape Cod shore. June 5 at Newport marked the beginning of the 

 big run of the season, which culminated June 19. The season closed 

 there June 28. On June 22 was the best catch off Block Island. 

 Scattering fishes are present all summer. On September 6 and 7, 

 1905, there was a very big run of "Tinkers" at Newport, the harbor 

 being full of them. A similar run usually occurs about this time, al- 

 though it was exceptionally large in that year. Mackerel finally leave 

 in November. 



In 1906, four mackerel were caught off Newport, May 4. Twenty-five 

 barrels were shipped from Ne-^TDort May 14. By May 25, the shipments 

 havd increased to 300 barrels, and the large run commenced June 4 

 when 1,200 barrels were landed at New^jort. The season ended near 

 the last of July. The tinkers arrived June 4. 



In 1907, the first mackerel at Newport appeared May 2. The first recorded 

 catch (294 barrels) was made May 17. The catches increased steadily 

 after that date until June 14, when the fishing off Newport was said to 

 be the best ever reported from that vicinity. The mackerel were taken 

 in considerable numbers for several weeks after that. The tinkers 

 arrived June 10. 



In 1908, the first mackerel in the scup traps off Newport were caught April 

 27. The number rapidly increased until May 25. Mackerel were 

 present in considerable numbers until June 1. The first tinker was 

 caught May 27. 



In 1909, the first mackerel from Newi^ort were reported April 2. May 4, 



42 barrels were shipped from Newport. The first big catch was on 



May 16, when 500 barrels were caught. May 24, 200 barrels were 



. landed at Newport and from this time until the end of June the fish were 



abundant. Tinkers appeared June 17. 



