NOTES OX XK\Y JERSEY FISHES. 369 



but four inclios. Formerly the large white cat was very abundaut, 

 appearing in late ^May or early June, according to the weather, and on 

 either side of tlic i-ixcr. as a long continuous pi'ocession, narrow, but 

 of gi'eat lengtli. During thcii- ascension they would frequently flip 

 like the l)lack belly herring, though the very large ones usually ap- 

 ji^^ared to move up singly and seldom or never flip. The frequency of 

 ibcir (lipping vei-y often determined the extent of the pi'ocession. for 

 if rather narrow the flipping was comparatively less than when the 

 ])i-oeession was wid<'. These processions would push away beyond tide- 

 water into the uppei- basin of the Delaware for many miles, their 

 ohjt'ct seemingly to feed on the numerous small snails which swarmed 

 in those regions. As this source of food seemed to decrease or disap- 

 pear, the cat fish gradually descended the river, so that they would 

 again reach Trenton by about July. As the snails grew, or at least 

 seemed to be more numerous, the ad\ent of the cat fish was more 

 marked, the fish afterwards gradually disappearing. Sometimes two 

 or three runs would be noted in June, when the ascension oecurrL'd, 

 and on one occasion many years ago seven wagonloads were taken in 

 a single haul. The fishermen think the "bullhead" never oecurs in 

 strings, but appears scattered, both when ascending and descending, 

 and it is only found when baited. The "silver tail" moves off the 

 first full moon in August. Bullheads reach about one te three or four 

 pounds in weight, and though considered better in the Susquehanna, 

 the "silver tail" is the better fish in the Delaware. 



Eeported to occur in the Delaware at Burlington Island. 



Ameiurus nebulosus (Le Sueur). 



Yellow Cat. 



This species is reported to be common in Eaccoon Creek at Bridge- 

 port, Gloucester county. A nnml)er. each weigbing about a pound. 

 were seen April 19th, 1908. 



Mr. Emlen Martin says it is t-ommon in the Rancocas Creek at 

 Centerton, Burlington county. 



Reported common in Sluice Creek, tributary of Dennis Creek, in 

 Cape May county. 



'Slv. .1. B. Yanderveer says they deposit in tlie Delaware in June, 



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