REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 129 



the average of eleven of these was 5 2-5 inches (133.9 mm.). On 

 the Long Island shore, July 31 and August 13, 1901, .specimens 

 about six inches long taken in gill net (Bean, 1903). 

 "In the third year of existence, or at the age of two years, they have in- 

 creased considerably, measuring on their re-appearance about ten 

 inches. After this they grow more quickly. One hundred and ninety- 

 nine, presumed to be three-years fish, weighed on the 6th of Septem- 

 ber, averaged U half pounds each and measured about twelve inches 

 in length. It is in the fifth year, or after the lapse of four years from 

 birth, that the scup presents its finest development; specimens believed 

 to be of that age measured 14 or 15 inches with a weight of 2^ to 3 

 pounds. They, however, still continue to grow, specimens being not 

 infrequently even more. The dimensions may belong to fish of six or 

 more years of age; more probably, however, of five years" (Baird, 

 1871-72, p. 228). (For an account of the natural history of the scup, 

 see Baird, Report, U. S. Fish Com., I, 1871, 228). 



131. Lagodon rhomboides (Linnajus). Sailor's Choice; Shimj Scup. 



Geog. Dist.: Abundant from Cape Hatteras southward, straying north 



to Cape Cod. At Woods Hole, a few specimens usually taken each 



year from July to September (Smith, 1898). Occasionally taken on 



Long Island shores in summer (Bean, 1903). 

 Season in R. I.: Not common. Specimen from Newport, collected by 



Mr. J. M. K. Southwick in 1899. 

 Reproduction: Spawns in the Gulf of Mexico in winter or early .spring. 



(Bean, 1903). 

 Food: Small fishes, and invertebrates, especially Crustacea. 

 Size: Six inches. 



132. Archosargus probatocephalus (Walbaum). Sheepshead. 



Geog. Dist.: Cape Cod to Mexico, abundant in the south. In Massa- 

 chusetts, recorded from south of Cape Cod (Storer, 1839, 1853), and 

 Vineyard Sound; in Connecticut, from Stratford (Linsley, 1844). On 

 Long Island shore this species is now uncommon, but was formerly 

 abundant (Bean, 1903). 



Habitat: Prefers rocky bottoms (Holbrook, 1860). 



Season in R. I. : Said to have been common formerly, but now rare north 

 of New York. Sometime^ taken at NeT\'port (Mr. Southwdck). 



Reproduction: Spawns in bays and mouths of rivers in summer in the 

 Gulf of Mexico. "In August, 1887, the Sheepshead was known to 



