young toads, when fully developed, are J inch or 

 less in length. The adults measure: Male, 1 inch; 



female, 1^-lJ inch. 



RICHARD F. DECKERT, 



New York, N. Y. 



KING FISH AT COESON'S INLET, N. J. 



There has never been a commercial fishery at 

 this point, but it has long been visited by sports- 

 men. Among the fish sought Menticirrhus saxatilis 

 holds a prominent place. The remarkable varia- 

 tion in numbers of this fish in different years is as 

 noticeable here as at other points, the species occur- 

 ring in great abundance for one or two years and 

 then gradually decreasing from year to year until 

 few are caught. For the last fifteen years, how- 

 ever, which is as far as reliable accounts go, it has 

 never entirely disappeared. 



The year 1907 began the latest period of maxi- 

 mum abundance. During the previous August 

 and September large numbers of young fish, less 

 than two inches long, were seen along the sandy 

 marshes of the Inlet, and many hauls of the bait 

 nets contained little else. 



The fish usually makes its appearance early in 

 May, the 4th being the earliest date of which I 

 have a note, and remains until October. In 1909 

 the last seen were October 11th. After the middle 

 of September a northeast storm is usually followed 

 by their disappearance. 



Menticirrhus americanm was first noted by me 

 June 27th, 1909, when 8 examples were found in a 

 catch of 95 king fish. July 26th there were 10 

 examples in a total of 25 of the two species. They 



