OF THE HABITS AND MIGRATIONS OF THE MACKEREL. 17 



also mackerel fishing at this time of the year off the Lizard. The fish 

 taken are smaller than those captured later in the year, and are not 

 mature. 



On the west coast of France (Douarnenez) the mackerel may appear 

 in February and remain from that time onwards {e.g., 1894, 150,000 kilos 

 were taken during this month). In other years {e.g., 1895, which was 

 extremely cold during the early months) they were not seen at 

 Douarnenez until the end of April. 



Marion* states that at Marseille the ovaries of fish taken in January 

 were well developed. The eggs were 1 mm. in diameter, but were not 

 extruded on pressure. He also mentions small fish 20 to 24 cm. (8 to 

 9i inches) long in February, which he regards as one year old. The 

 reproductive organs of these are stated to have been well developed. 

 Gourretf records mackerel in January in the same locality, which were 

 20 to 30 cm. (8-12 inches) long. 



No record has been seen of mackerel being taken during either 

 January or February in other parts of Europe than those men- 

 tioned. 



America. — There is little evidence of mackerel being near the 

 American coasts at this time of the year. Brown Goode]: mentions 

 that instances are on record of mackerel having been captured in the 

 Gulf of St. Lawrence in mid-winter, but these appear to be simply stray 

 specimens. Captain J. W. Collins § reports that in the latter part of 

 February, 1882, many mackerel were taken from the stomachs of cod, 

 which had been captured 10 to 12 miles off Egg Harbour, N.J., in 12 to 

 15 fathoms. The mackerel appeared to have been only recently 

 swallowed. This observation is important, since it shows that mackerel 

 may be at no great distance from the coast without their presence being 

 easily detected. 



March and April : Europe. — During the early part of March, and 

 often during the greater portion of the month, the conditions remain 

 much as they were during February. The mackerel in the English 

 Channel are still 20 to 40 miles from the coast, and they remain at 

 about this distance during the whole of these two months, increasing, 

 however, in abundance. 



Towards the end of March, or early in April, large schools of full- 

 grown fish approach the south-west coasts of Ireland and the west 

 coast of France, and the great spring mackerel fishery commences. 



* Ann. Mus. Nat. Hisl. Marseille Zoul. AppUqiu'c, vol. i. p. 85. 

 t Ann. Mus. Nat. Hisl. Marseille Zool. AppliqiUc, voL ii. p. 58. 

 I Report of U.S, Fish. Com., 1881, p. 97. 

 § Bull. U.S. Fish. Cam., vol. ii., 1882, p. 273. 



NEW SERIES. — VOL. V. NO. 1. ^ 



