302 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA, 



spawning season or an irregular rate of growth; thus, during one year, in the 

 third week in August specimens only 1.5 inches long were seined, while in the 

 first week of the same month the young averaged 4 inches long, and in the last 

 week in July the average length was 5 inches. A specimens 2.75 inches over all 

 (2.25 inches to base of caudal), taken by the writer at Beaufort October 25, 

 1904, had the following colors in life : Body marked by 7 broad shining black cross 

 bands, separated by silvery spaces; dorsal dusky, the membrane of spinous part 

 with black edge; anal black; pectorals white; ventrals blue-black; tail white; 

 a round black humeral spot, larger than pupil, partly in second cross band and 

 partly in first interspace, on level with upper half of eye. 



An old wrecked bark in the Beaufort Harbor was for a long time one of the 

 best places for hook and line fishing; this was blown up and removed by the 

 government in November, 1903. After the first explosion of dynamite 15 small 

 sheepshead 6 to 8 inches long were collected at the surface, and after the second 

 discharge 2 days later a number of others were found. Six days later, a small 

 trap at the laboratory wharf, which had been set a year and had caught no 

 sheepshead during that time, was found to contain 20 sheepshead of the same 

 size as those killed at the wreck; the following day, the 20 not having been 

 removed, the trap contained about 40. 



The sheepshead is a much sought fish, and the comparatively small catch 

 indicates that it is not numerous at this time in North Carolina. It is taken for 

 market with fines, gill nets, seines, and pound nets, but the line catch is insig- 

 nificant except in Dare County. Carteret County ranks first in the amount of 

 the catch, followed by Dare, Beaufort, and Pamlico counties. The yield in 1890 

 was 146,345 pounds, valued at $5,981; in 1897 it was 271,205 pounds, valued at 

 $9,243; and in 1902 it was 154,930 pounds, valued at $7,303. 



The sheepshead is deservedly regarded as one of the best of salt-water fishes. 

 The meat is white, flaky, juicy, and well flavored, and is usually prepared for the 

 table by boiling or baking. 



Genus DIPLODUS Rafinesque. Sargoes, or Spot-tailed Pin-fishes. 



This is essentially an old world genus, with a few American representatives. 

 Similar to Archosargus, but with bony interorbital region more cavernous; body 

 ovate, compressed, back elevated; incisor teeth broad, not notched; molar 

 teeth in several rows; gill-rakers short; dorsal spines about 12; color silvery, 

 with dark area on caudal peduncle. One species in local fauna. (Diplodus, 

 double tooth.) 



264. DIPLODUS HOLBROOKII (Bean). 



"Spot-tailed Pin-fish"; "Pin-fish"; Ring-tailed Bream (S. C); Salt-water Bream 



(S. C); Sailor's Choice. 



Sargus holdrookii Bean, Forest and Stream, June 13, 1878; Charleston, S. C. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 379; 



Beaufort. 

 Diplodus holbrookii, Goode, 1884, 386; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 90. Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 



1362, pi. ccxvii, figs. 555 and 555a. Linton, 1905, 383; Beaufort. 



