278 



The number recaptured was 48, or 47 "5 per cent., viz. 22 males (61 "1 per cent.), 

 24 females (38'1 per cent.), and the 2 of unknown sex. Twenty-one of tlie males 

 were of adult size on recapture, averaging 38 "6 cm., and ranging from 33 '2 to 47 "6 

 cm., as compared with a range of from 30 to 48 cm. and a mean of 36"2 cm. on 

 liberation ; they were at liberty for from 53 to 883 days, the average being 267 

 days ; they migrated distances of from 3 to 188 miles, the mean being 40 miles, 

 and the mean rate 1'4 miles. Eighteen of the females were of adult size, ranging 

 from 38 to 55*1 cm., and averaging 46 '2 cm., as against a range of from 34-5 to 

 55 cm., and an average of 44*1 cm. on liberation ; they were at liberty for from 

 39 to 606 days, averaging 210 days ; they travelled distances of from 3 to 59 miles, 

 the mean being 23-3 miles, and the average rate 1 mile. Six were under adult 

 size, averaging 33 '8 cm., as against a mean of 35 cm. on liberation ; they were free 

 for a mean period of 91 days, and migrated from 3^ to 44 miles, the mean being 

 23-6 miles, and the average rate 2 "6 miles. 



Twenty-six of the recaptured fish were landed by foreign trawlers at Ostend 

 Ymuiden, Greestemiinde, and Cuxhaven, the place of capture being stated, in some 

 cases, merely as " Moray Firth," or not recorded. 



The Extent and Direction of Migration. 



First Quarter. — In September, one of unknown sex was landed at Ostend, the 

 place of capture unrecorded. 



In October, a female was taken 5 miles to the north and west, and another in 

 the " Moray Firth," and landed at Ostend. 



In November, 2 males and 6 females were found ; 1 of the males was taken 7 

 miles to the north and east, and the other 8 miles to the south and east ; 2 of the 

 females were recovered together, north-east of Kinnaird Head, at a distance of 44 

 miles to the south and east, and 2 others near the same place, 1 at a distance of 45 

 miles, and the other at a distance of 41 miles ; of the 2 remaining females, 1 was got 

 in the " Moray Firth " by a Belgian trawler, and the other was taken on Smith 

 Bank, at a distance of 3J miles to the south and east. 



In December, 2 males and 3 females were recaptured, 1 of the males in Ihe 

 " Moray Firth," by a German trawler, and the other 25 miles to the north and east 

 of Noss Head ; 2 of the females were taken on Smith Bank, on the same day, at a 

 distance of 8 miles to the south and east, the third being captured 21 miles to the 

 north and east, off Noss Head. 



In this quarter, 16 of the marked plaice, or 33*3 per cent., were recaptured, the 

 position being known for 12 (25 per cent.), and of these, 8 (66-6 per cent.) were 

 found to the south and east, 3 to the north and east, and 1 to the north and west. 



Second Quarter. — A male and a female were taken in January 1912, the female 

 17 miles to the north and east, off Noss Head, and the male, which was " ripe," on 

 the north coast, off Strathie Point, at a distance of 64 miles to the northwards and 

 westwards. 



Four males and 1 female were recaptured in February 1912, the female 5 miles 

 to the north and west, off Clj^thness, and 2 of the males in the same locality, at 3| 

 and 6| miles ; another male was taken by a Belgian trawler in the " Moray Firth," 

 and the remaining male, which was " ripe," on the north coast, off Strathie Point, 

 at a distance of 67 miles. 



Two males, 2 females, and 1 of unknown sex were taken in March, 1 female 10 

 miles to the south and west, and the other 9 miles to the north and east, oft" Noss 

 Head ; one of the males was also found off Noss Head, at a distance of 9 miles to 

 the north and east, and the other 25 miles to the south and east, north of Kinnaird 

 Head ; the fish whose sex was not recorded was captured offshoie, near Auskerry, 

 Orkney Isles, at 65 miles to the north and east. 



In the second quarter, therefore, 12 fish, or 25 per cent., were recaptured, the 

 position of 1 being unknown. Of the remaining 11, or 22 "9 per cent., 7 (63 '6 per 

 cent.) were found to the north and east, 2 to the north and west, and 1 each to the 

 south and east and south and west. 



Third Quarter.— 2 males and a female were taken in April, the position of 1 of the 

 males not known, the other male off Noss Head, 12 miles to the north and east, the 

 female in the Dornoch Firth, at 36 miles distant to the south and west. 



