462 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



10. They do not appear to be scared by seines or nets any longer than 

 they are in sight of them. 



11. Their migration is more on the ebb tide, as they stop on the flood 

 tide to feed. 



12. In large bays and rivers where the bottom is soft. 



13. From three to eight fathoms of water. When the weather is cool 

 they swim deep, but come near the surface at times ; these times can be 

 ascertained by the birds striking them. When the weather is warm 

 these fish are seen to swim with the tops of their heads out of the water. 



14. As the mercury sinks they swim deeper in the water. 



15. They seldom appear on their breeding grounds before matured. 

 The one and two year old fish are not found among the oldest. 



16. The young fish are seen on the coast about the 1st of June, at 

 which time they are about 4 inches long. 



17. They leave the coast generally in the latter part of October in a 

 body. 



18. They leave the coast by the southern route going south of course. 



19. It is thought that they spend the winter in or beyond the Gulf 

 Stream, where the water is warm. 



20. There is a sediment upon which they feed; this they purify by 

 straining it through their gills. 



21. They spawn in the headwaters of our bays and rivers, generally 

 in the month of April. 



22. In their migration movements they are mixed indiscriminately, as 

 may be seen from the manner in which they are caught in the gill-nets- 

 but when coming upon the breeding grounds, they are not huddled in 

 schools, as may be seen afterwards. 



23. The milt of this fish does color the water. 



24. Cannot tell the exact temperature of water which is most favor- 

 able for spawning, but I think when it is from 45° to 65° ; when the 

 water is cold they spawn in the deep where the cold winds cannot chill 

 the spawn ; when the weather is moderately cold, it does not destroy 

 the spawn, but the young fish will not hatch as soon as when the water 

 is of the right temperature. Where the water becomes heated by the 

 burning rays of the sun the spawn is instantly destroyed. 



25. In from 4 to 10 feet of water ; the eggs lay on the bottom. Where 

 it is soft, and produces a little grass, it is all the better for the spawn. 



26. When the eggs are spawned they sink to the bottom, but become 

 attached neither to stones, grass, nor any thing of the kind ; neither do 

 they float until hatched, but lay on the bottom. 



27. In four or six days' time after the eggs are laid they begin to hatch 

 out. It has been said that they hatch out in two days after they have 

 been laid, but this is very seldom; however it is not impossible, but my 

 own experience teaches me that to hatch them out in two days would 

 require the tide, locality, and temperature of the water to be very favor- 

 able. 



