HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 411 



which do enter remain through the season. These menhaden are only 

 on their way to the eastern shores, coming from the west when they 

 strike this bay. They come in large schools, and are followed by numer- 

 ous sea-birds. 



6. They have been caught in our bay as early as the 15th of April, 

 but they generally come about the 1st of May. 



7. It depends upon the wind. They are generally seen in schools, 

 and they attract sea-fowl. 



S. They come from the westward through Vineyard Sound and around 

 Nantucket Island. They come in shore at high water; at low water 

 they keep in the channel, which is from three to seven fathoms deep. 

 I do not think the depth of water aflfects them very much. They are as 

 regular in their course and movements as a flock of sea-fowl. When 

 one is frightened, they all start ; if one turns, all turn ; if one goes down, 

 all follow. They have one peculiarity for which we cannot account. 

 Sometimes for hours not a fish can be seen, and then suddenly they rise 

 to the surface and the water is full of schools, sometimes swimming in 

 a circle and sometimes headed in the same direction. 



9. I never knew them to fail. 



10. Yes. 



11. At high water they enter the rivers and follow up into shoal 

 water ; on the ebb, they go off into deep water. 



12. Rhode Island, Chatham Bay, and the eastern shore of Maine. 



13. They school in any depth, and generally near the surface, unless 

 attacked by some enemy. 



14. Yes ; during northerly or cold winds they swim deep, while dur- 

 ing southerly or warm winds they come to the surface. 



15. They do evidently mix with fish partly grown. 



16. They are in July and August. When some schools get into our 

 inland ponds and stop through the summer, we see the young ones about 

 two inches long and shorter. 



17. The fish pass here from south in the latter part of September and 

 first of October. All move about the same time. 



18. They follow the shores of Cape Cod. 



19. On the southern coast. 



20. They apparently live by filtering the water through their gills. 



22. They go in large schools, bnt are never known to pair. 



23. No. 



29. The oldest pogy fishermen say they never saw any spawn in them, 

 but have seen what they called young pogies. 



30. They are a prey to sharks, dogfish, squid, codfish, bluefish, hali- 

 but, and porpoises. 



31. Nothing of the kind was ever seen on them here. 



32. The bluefish are their great enemy, and they leave when this 

 enemy comes. 



33. I cannot find a man who ever saw a diseased menhaden. 



