275 



The fish used in this experiment were trawled by the " Goldseeker " in Dornoch 

 Firth on the same day. 



Tlie number i-ecaptured was 32, or 53'3 per cent., 14 males (51'8 per cent.) 

 and 18 females (54"5 per cent.). Nine of the males were of adult size,- averaging 

 38"4: cm., as compared ^vith 32"5 cm. on Uberatiou ; they were at liberty for a mean 

 period of 485 days, and migrated distances of from 3 to 57 miles^ the average being 

 19-8 miles, and the mean rate '3 mile. Five males were under adult size, averaging 

 28" 1 cm., as against 28*4 cm. on liberation ; they were free for an average period 

 of 37 days, and travelled distances of from 6 to 53 miles, the mean being 21 '2 miles, 

 and the average rate, 9 miles per 10 days. Eight of the females were of adult 

 size, averaging 43"4 cm., as against 39-1 cm. on hberation ; they were at Hberty 

 for a mean period of 26(i days, and moved from 3 to 72 miles, the mean being 

 26 miles, and the mean rate -9 mile. Ten were under adult size, the average being 

 32-5 cm., as compared with 30'4 cm. on liberation ; they were at liberty for an 

 average period of 106 days, and migrated distances of from 7 to 44 miles, the 

 average being 20*7 miles, and the mean rate of movement 1-7 miles. 



The Extent and Direction op Migration. 



First Quarter. --'In the remainder of March, 2 males and 4 females were recovered ; 

 the position of 1 of the males was not ascertained ; the other was taken north-east 

 of Rattray Head, at a distance of 53 iniles to the south and east ; 1 of the females 

 was caught b]P a foreign trawler, and landed abroad, the place of recapture being 

 given as " Moray Firth " ; another is described as having been caught to the 

 north-east of Rattray Head, at 72 miles distant to the south and east ; the third 

 was got 7 miles to the north and west, near Clythness ; and the last, 12 miles to 

 the south and west, off Berriedale Head. 



In April, 3 males and 4 females were recaptured, 2 of the males to the south 

 and west, at 6 and 16 miles respectively, the other male 10 miles to the north and 

 east, off Clythness ; 3 of the females were taken to the north and east, south-east 

 of Noss Head, at distances of 21, 25, and 27 miles respectively ; the remaining 

 female was recovered on Smith Bank, at a distance of 3 miles to the south and east. 



Thus, in this quarter, 13 of the marked plaice, or 40*6 per cent., were recaptured, 

 the positions of 2 not being ascertained. Of the remaining 11, 4 weie found to 

 the north-east, 3 each to the south-east and south-west, and 1 to the north-west. 



Second Quarter. — In June, a male and a female were recaptured " in the Moray 

 Fifth " and landed at foreign ports. 



In July, a female was taken, and recorded under similar circumstances. 



Three fish, or 9*4 per cent., represent the catches for this quarter. 



Third Quarter. — A male and a female were got in September, the female in the 

 Dornoch Firth, the exact position not being recorded, and the male in the " Moray 

 Firth," and landed at foreign ports. 



Fourth Quarter. — In January 1912, a male was recaptured 15J miles to the north 

 and west, south-east of Berriedale Ness. 



In February, a female was taken in the " Moray Firth," and landed at a foreign 

 port. 



Thus, in the 12 months after liberation, 20 of the marked fish, or 62*5 per cent;., 

 were found, but the positions of capture of 8 were not recorded. Of the remaining 

 12, or 37-5 per cent., 4 were taken to the north and east, 2 to the north and west, 

 and 3 each to the south and east, and south and west. 



Of the remaining fish recaptured from this experiment, 9 were taken in 1912 

 and 3 in 1913. 



Three females were caught in March 1912, 1, 10 miles to the south and west, 

 and 2, 9 miles and 31 miles to the north and east. In April, 2 females were 

 recaptured, 1, 20 miles to the north and east, and the other on the north coast of 

 Scotland, north-east of Holburn Head, at a distance of 34 miles. In May, a male 

 was taken 4| miles to the north and east, and a female 20 miles in the same direc- 

 tion. In September, a male got in the " Moray Firth " was landed at a foreign 

 port, and in December, another male was recaptured 19 miles to the north and east. 



In March 1913, 2 males were recovered, 1, 3 miles to the north and west, the 



