50 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Mr. William H. Sargent, of Castine, Me., has known them to come in 

 as early as May 25, and has seen them in November. 



Eastward from this point the stay of the menhaden is materially 

 shortened np. x\t Jonesport, according to Mr. George R. Allen, it is 

 almost confined to the month of August, scattering ones being taken in 

 July. In Passamaquoddy Bay and vicinity menhaden are now rarely 

 seen. Formerly they were found in all these waters in August.* 



Mr. Maddocks on the Maine schools. 



83. Mr. Maddocks states : "Its appearance on the coast of Maine is 

 from about June 1, to October 1. The date of coming rarely varies 

 more than five days ; that of departure is sometimes delayed until 

 October 15, if the weather continues mild and calm. It usually dis- 

 appears from the surface during the continuance of cold northerly 

 winds 5 and even in favorable weather alternately rises and sinks dur- 

 ing the day, the morning and evening being the time of most general 

 appearance. The first straggling comers are generally discovered on 

 the ' outer grounds,' so called, some forty miles off shore. The numbers 

 increase with the advance of the season, the fish gathering in schools 

 or bunches from the size of a dining table to ten acres large, and fifty 

 of these being frequently visible at once from the mast-head. In these 

 bunches the fish extend from the surface two or three fathoms deep, 

 more or less, as far at least as can be seen, in a compact mass, either 

 lying perfectly still or moving slowly with their heads all pointed one 

 way as if intently gazing upon an object before them."t And again : 

 " It is certain that the disapparance of the menhaden from the Maine 

 coast in the autumn is accomplished by a movement of vast numbers (not 

 necessarily the whole or even the greater number) to the west and 

 south along the shore. The withdrawal is nearly simultaneous, but in 

 a body so immense that the vanguard reaches Cape Cod before the 

 rear has left the Maine waters. Our fishermen follow the retreating 

 army as far as Cape Cod and Sandy Hook, and make large captures.^ 



13.— MiaRATIONS. 



Migrations of fishes and their causes. 



84. It was formerly believed that all seasonal migration was directed 

 toward and from the equator, but zoologists of the present day recog- 

 nize another kind of migration quite as important although not usually 

 so extended. At the approach of the hot season in subtropical climates 

 the birds seek a cooler temperature, either by flying northward or by 

 ascending the high mountains. In like manner the fishes of any region 

 may find water of suitabl e warmth by moving north or south along 



* Goodale &, Atkins, op. cit., p. 4. 



t The Menhaden Fishery of Maine, p. 4. 



