269 



Thirteen were under adult size on recapture, averaging 33"6 cm., and ranging from 

 28-1 to 37 cm., as compared with a range of from 30 to 36-5 cm., and a mean of 

 32-9 cm. on liberation ; they were free for periods of froin 11 to 105 days, t!ie 

 average being 179 days ; the distances moved varied from 13 to 78 miles, the 

 average beiiig 27'5 miles and the mean rate 1*5 miles. 



The Extent and Direction of Migration. 



First Quarter. — In the remainder of July, 2 females and 1 male were taken, 

 the male 10 miles to the north and west, the females at 17 and 28 miles to the south 

 and west respectivel}- . 



In August, 2 males and 2 females weie found, all to the south and west, the 

 males at distances of 16 and 22 miles, the females at 10| and 14 miles. 



In September, 1 male and 3 females were recovered, the male at a distance 

 of 56| miles to the south and east, in the offshore waters ; 1 of the females went 

 14| miles to the north and west, to off Kinnaird Head, and the other 2, 16 miles to 

 the south-west. 



In this quarter, 11 marked plaice, or 21-1 per cent., were got, 8 (72-7 per cent.) 

 at an average distance of 17 miles in the mean direction S. 39° W ., 2 (18-2 per cent.) 

 to the north and west, and 1 to the south and east. The chart, with the lines of 

 migration, shows that 7 of these fish were recaptured at a short distance to the 

 south-east of Buchanness. 



Second Quarter.— In October, 1 male and 2 females were taken, all to the south 

 and west, at distances of (for the male) 30^ miles and (for the females) 17i and 18 

 miles respectively. 



In November, 4 males and 2 females were got, all to the soiitli-west, except 1 

 of the males, which was captured in the Moray Firth, off Buckie, at a distance of 52 

 miles to the north and west ; the other males were recaptured at 17|, 18, and 21 

 miles, and the females at 14 and 20 miles. 



Ii\ December, 2 females were recaptured, 1 at a distance of 19^ miles to the 

 south and west, and the other 7 miles south from Fair Isle, at 116 miles distant to 

 the north and east. 



In this quaiter, therefore, 11 of the marked plaice, or 21-1 per cent., were 

 recovered, of which 9 (81 '8 per cent.) were taken to the south and west, at a mean 

 distance of 19 miles, and in the mean direction S. 49*^ W. ; 1 was got to the north 

 and east, and 1 to the north and west. The chart of migrations shows the same 

 general features a^ in tne last quarter, 8 of the fish being recaptured to the soutn- 

 east of Buchanness, not far from shore. 



Third Quarter.— In January 1913, 2 males and 1 female were taken, all in the 

 Moray Firth, 2 off Banff, at a distance of 36^ miles, and 1 off Lossiemouth, at a 

 distance of 57i miles. 



Two males and 2 females were recaptured in February, 1 male 11 miles to the 

 south and west, the other 12^ miles to the north and west, and the 2 females in 

 the same direction, at distances of 11 and 13 miles. 



In March, 1 male and 3 females were taken, all to the north and west, 1 female 

 off Rattrav Head, at 13 miles distant, another off Banff, in the Moray Firth, at a 

 distance of 37 miles, and the third female and the male were taken in the Moray 

 Firth, noith of Tarbet Ness, at distances of 70 and 78 miles. 



In this quarter, then, 11 marked plaice, or 21-1 per cent., were recovered, 10 of 

 them (90-9 per cent.) at an average distance of 36 miles in the mean direction 

 N. 56° W., and 1 to the south and west. The chart of migration lines shows a 

 difi'erence from those of the two previous quarters, 4 of the fish being caught close 

 inshore to the westward, and 6 in the Moray Firth, only 1 being recaptured near 

 Buchanness, to the south and west. 



Fourth Quarter. — In April 1913, 2 males and 1 female were taken, the female 35 

 miles to the south and west, close inshore, near Aberdeen, and the 2 males in the 

 Moray Firth, 1 near Tarbet Ness, at a distance of 74 miles, and the other south-east 

 of Noss Head at a distance of 61 miles. 



In May, 3 females were recovered, 1, 18| miles to the north and west, close 

 inshore, at Kinnaird Head ; another in the Moray Firth, ofi Cullen, at a distance ot" 



