394 KEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



3. nave not seen much of tbem for tbe past eight years, but should 

 think that they had diminished a small per cent, during that time. 



4. There are no establishments here engaged in the manufacture of 

 menhaden oil. 



5. Do hot think it does. 



6. About the 15th of May, and are the most plentiful about the 1st of 

 June. The first are generally the largest. Generally two, about one 

 "week apart. 



7. Sometimes at the surface, and oftentimes they pass along without 

 any show. I should think, from an experience of twenty-five years, that 

 they never go below 5 fathoms from the surface of the water. Their 

 general habit when on or near the surface is to slap — that is, to raise 

 the tail and strike it down on the water. This produces a sound dif- 

 ferent from any other kind of fish. They, as a general thing, make a 

 small ripple on the water, and oftentimes they can be told by the color 

 of the water which covers them. It presents a yellowish color, as a 

 general thing. Do not attract birds. 



8. They come from the south, and, as a general thing, follow; along 

 the coast, sometimes near the land, but of late at the distance of from 

 three to twenty miles from land, along the coast of Massachusetts to 

 the coast of Maine. I never heard tell but once of their crossing the 

 Bay of Fuudy. 



9. Eegular and certain ; they do not. 



10. I think it has a tendency to do so. 



11. As a rule, more apt to come to the surface in deep water ; in shal- 

 low water they go in and out with the ebb aiid How of the tide. 



13. If not disturbed they would stay near to the shore, but about 5 

 fathoms when out of sight. 



14. It does. Cold easterly winds tend to keep them beneath the sur- 

 face ; warm southwest winds and clear sky appear to put them in a 

 X)layful mood. 



15. Could not say, but should not think they came until the second 

 year; should think not. 



16. Never savv any but once in the month of August; about 3 inches 

 in length. 



17. In the month of j^fovember, by degrees ; that is, they j)ass along 

 day by day until all are gone. 



18. They go southward. 



19. Could not say, but have heard of them in the month of February 

 on the coast of Florida. 



20. Suction, or on the small particles to be found in the water. 



21. E'ever knew, but think where they spend the winter. 

 23. Never knew it to be. 



25. Should think on the bottom. 



26. Do not know, but think they remain at the bottom. 

 28. Not around this coast. 



