289 



Six, or 16-2 per cent., were taken in this quarter, the position being known for 

 5, of wiiich 3 were taken to the north and west, and 2 to the north and east. 



Third Quarter. — A male and 3 females were taken in October, the male 15 mile; 

 to the north and west, and 2 of the females at 25 miles to the north andwest, near 

 Noss Head ; the third female was caught north-east of Kinnaird Head, 29 miles to 

 the south and east. 



Two males were recaptured in November, 34 miles to the north and west, off 

 Brora. 



In this quarter, 6 fish, or 16-2 per cent., were taken, 5 to the north and west, and 

 1 to the south and east. 



Fourth Quarter. — In January 1914, a female was taken 7 miles to the north and 

 west, and in February, 2 females, one near Tarbet Ness, 33 miles to the south and 

 west, and the other on the north coast, off Dunnet Head, 48 miles to the north 

 and west. 



One male and 4 females were caught in March ; the place of capture of one 

 of the females was not recorded ; all the others were taken to the north and west, 

 one off Berriedale Ness, at a distance of 15 miles ; the other 2 females were 

 recovered on the north coast, off Strathie Point, at distances of 68 and 69 miles. 



In this quarter, 8 fish, or 21-6 per cent., were recaptured, the position being 

 known for 7 (18-9 per cent.), and 6 of those were found to the north and west, and 

 1 to the south and west. 



Altogether, within the 12 months after liberation, 32 of the marked plaice, or 

 86"5 per cent., were recaptured, the position being knowTi for 29 (78'4 per cent.), 

 of which 21 (72 "4 per cent.), were found to the north and west, 4 to the nortli 

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



Of the remaining 4 fishes which were recaptured, a female v/„s taken in May 

 1914, 18 miles to the north and east, a male in July 39 miles to the south and west 

 near Tarbet Ness, and 2 females in March 1916, one 17 miles to the north and west, 

 and the other, after 1098 days, close to Clyth Ness, 24 miles to the north and west. 



Distances travelled — 10 miles and under. — Three fish, or 8"8 percent., were taken 

 under 10 miles, all females (12-5 per cent.), with an average of 8 miles ; two went 

 to the north and east, and 1 to the north and west. 



10 to 20 mi^es.— Sixteen, or 47 per cent., were recaptured at distances of from 

 10| to 19 miles, 5 males (50 per cent.), with an average of 14 miles, and 11 females, 

 (45-8 per cent.), with an average of 15 miles ; all the males and 8 of the females were 

 found to the north and west, and 3 of the females to the north and east. Thus, 

 19, or 55 "9 per cent., were recaptured at distances under 20 miles, 5 males, wath an 

 average of 14 miles, and 14- females (58 '3 per cent.), with a mean of 13-4 miles. 



20 to 50 miles. — Thirteen, or 38 '2 per cent., were recaptured at distances of from 

 from 24 to 48| miles, 5 males (50 per cent.), mth an average of 33*1 miles, and 8 

 females (33 '3 per cent.), vdih a mean of 31-7 nules ; 3 of the males and 5 of the 

 females were found to the north and west ; 2 of the males and 2 of the females to 

 the south and west, and 1 female to the south and east. 



50 to 100 miles. — Two fish, or 5-9 per cent., were got between these distances ; 

 both were females (8 '3 per cent.), which were taken on the north coast, at 68 and 

 69 miles respectively. 



Maturity. 



Males.— The condition of the testes was ascertained in only 1 case ; it was 

 " immature." 



Females. — The condition of the ovaries was recorded for 11 of the 26 females 

 taken. Two were " spawning," one in March 1914, on the north coast, at a distance 

 of 69 miles, and the other in March 1916, 24 miles to the north and west, near 

 Clyth Ness. One was described as " ripe " ; it was caught in February 1914, on 

 the north coast ofi Dunnet Head, 48 miles to the north and west. Two were 

 described as " spent," one found in March 1914, on the north coast, at a distance 

 of 68 miles to the north and west, and the other in May 1914, 18 miles to the north 

 and east, off Rattray Point. 



lo 



