73 



In February 1914, a foniale, measuring 33-34-3 cm., and "immature,' was 

 recovered witliin tlie Firth of Fortli, after 659 days, off Pittenweem, at a distance 

 of 5 miles. 



Five of the marked plaice were recaptured in March, 3 males and 2 

 females. Two of the males, measuring 3r5-36-8 cm., and 34'5-375 cm., were 

 taken, after 683 and 690 days, to the east of the Isle of May, at distances of 24i 

 and 28^ miles : the former was " ripe," and the latter " spawning." The third 

 n^ale, of 34-40 cm., with the condition of the testes unrecorded, was caught, after 

 675 days, off Flamborough Head, at a distance of 163 miles to the south and east, 

 the mean rate of movement per 10 days being 2-4 miles. One of the females, of 

 5r5-53"9 cm., and described as " not ripe," was also got, after 663 days, to the 

 south and east, 6 miles east of Blyth, at a distance of 82 miles, its mean rate 

 of travel being r2 miles. The remaining female, of 38'5-43-5 cm., had gone 

 far to the northwards, and was taken, after 678 days, in the Moray Firth, south- 

 east of Berriedale Ness, at a distance of 154 miles ; the condition of the ovaries 

 was not recorded. 



In April 1914, a female, of 27-5-38'l cm., and " immature," was recaptured, 

 after 698 davs, off Buchanness, at a distance of 90 miles. The next fisli taken 

 in this year was a female in August, after 813 days, near the Bell Rock, at a 

 distance of 27^ miles. The last fish recaptured in 1914 was a female, measuring 

 33-5-46 cm., and described as "about three-quarters ripe," which was taken in 

 December, after 957 days, at Aberdeen Bank, at a distance of 72 miles. 



■ In March 1915. two of the marked plaice were recovered ; one, a female, 

 measuring 35-5-43-7 cm., and " spawning," was found, after 1031 days, to the east 

 of the Bell Rock, at a distance of 39 miles ; the other, a male, of 35-44-1 cm., and 

 " spawning," was caught, after 1054 days, at Aberdeen Bank, at a distance of 

 72 miles. 



Distances travelled — Under 10 miles. — Thirteen of the marked plaice, or 23-2 

 per cent., were recaptured at distances of from 4| to 9 miles, namely, 7 males 

 (23-3 per cent.), with an average of 6-4 miles, and 6 females (23-1 per cent.), 

 with an average of 5-3 miles. They were all taken within the Firth of Forth. 

 12 along the north shore, off Wemyss, Buckhaven, Leven, Largo, Pittenweem, and 

 St. Monans, and one 2 miles from the Isle of May. 



10 to 20 miles. — Six fishes, or 10-7 per cent., were got at distances of from 10| 

 to 17 miles, viz. 2 males, each of which moved 17 miles, and 4 females, with an 

 average of 12-7 miles. Two of the females were found near Kirkcaldy, in the 

 Firth of Forth, and the others off the Isle of May. 



Under 20 miles. — Nineteen fish, or 33-9 per cent., therefore, migi'ated for 

 journeys of less than 20 miles, viz. 9 males (30 per cent.), v/ith an average of 

 8-8 miles, and iO females (38-5 per cent.), with an average of 8-5 miles ; 15 were 

 recaptured within the Firth of Forth. 



20 to 50 miles. — Seventeen, or 30-3 per cent, of the total number recaptured, 

 were taken at dista uces of from 21^ to 39 miles, 9 males (30 per cent.), with an 

 average distance of 25-3 miles, and 8 females (30-8 per cent.), with an average of 

 33-1 miles. Of the males, 8 migrated to the north and east, and 1 to the 

 south and east ; 5 of the females were found to the north and east, and 3 to the 

 south and east. 



50 to 100 miles. — Sixteen, or 28-6 per cent., were taken at distances of from 

 53 to 90 miles, viz. 10 males (33-3 per cent.), with an average of 74 miles, and 6 

 females (23-1 per cent.), with an average of 77-1 miles. Nine of the males were found 

 to the north and east, off the coast of Aberdeen, 5 of them being recaptured in 

 the region of Aberdeen Bank ; the tenth male was caught off North Shields, 

 86 miles to the south and east. Five of the females were recaptured to the north 

 and east, off the coast of Aberd-eenshire, and 1 off Blyth, 82 miles to the south 

 and east. 



Over 100 miles. — Four were recaptured at distances of from 136 to 184 miles, 

 2 males, with an average of 173-7 miles, and 2 females, with an average of 

 145-2 miles. One of the males and both the females had migrated northwards, 

 the male being taken off the Orkney Isles, and the females in the Moray Firth ; one 

 of the males had gone to the southwards, to off Flamborough Head, a distance of 

 163 miles. 



-7* 



