(TL) and weighed one pound, seven ounces. The pinfish is a very 

 edible species, but due to its small size and relative scarcity, it is of 

 no economic importance in Rhode Island. 



Genus Archosargus 



(156) Archosargus probatocephalus (Walbaum) 1792 

 Sheepshead 



This southern member of the scup family occasionaly strays into 

 Rhode Island waters and is taken in the traps at Newport and Point 

 Judith during the summer and fall on rare occasions, according to 

 the fishermen. This species reaches 30 inches (TL). Tracy (1910) 

 states that sheepshead are sometimes taken at Newport. 



Family Kyphosidae 

 Genus Kyphosus 



(157) Kyphosus sectatrix (Linnaeus) 1766 

 Rudder fish 



Specimens: 



This tropical species occurs only as a straggler from North Caro- 

 lina northward. Tracy (1910) mentions a rudder fish in the United 

 States National Museum taken at Newport by S. Powell. 



Family Sciaenidae 

 Genus Cynoscion 



(158) Cynoscion regalis (Bloch and Schneider) 1801 

 Weakfish, squeteague, sea trout, chickret, squet 



Specimens: (PLATE 52) 



The migratory weakfish are present in Rhode Island from May 

 to October. This commercial and sport species is subject to consider- 

 able annual variation in abundance. During 1956, and 1957, the 

 weakfish population began to show an increase in numbers in Rhode 

 Island waters. During 1957, weakfish were taken in the Pawcatuck 

 River, Pettaquamscutt River and in the traps in greater quantities 

 than during the past nine years. The largest specimen observed by 

 the writer was a 29-inch (TL) weakfish weighing nine pounds, taken 

 in the Point Judith traps on July 2, 1957. 



63 



