HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 437 



45. Statement of B. Llllinf/fiton^ Stratford., Conn., February 23, 1874. 



1. Wliitefisb, banker, and manliaden. 



2. Surpass in numbers all others. 



3. Diminished very considerably. 

 5. Very much. 



C. Generally about the 1st of May first seen. 



7. Swim on surface ; do not attract birds. 



8. From east, going west. 



9. Found here every season, but in equal abundance. 



10. Undoubtedly. 



11. Generally follow the tide. 



14. Probably, as they are not found here in winter. 



16. Immense numbers of young, 2 to 3 inches, long are found in this 

 river (Housatonic) during the fall. 



21. iu Au'^.ust and September immense numbers strike on and follow 

 up the river ; iiio.se are invariably i)oor when so caught. In October the 

 young appear in the river. 



28. In and at the mouth of the Housatonic. 



30. Bass and blueflsh. 



33. Large numbers are sometimes washed ashore along this coast in 

 September and October. 



34. Pounds, purse-nets, &c. 

 30. Vessels of light tonnage. 



38. Whole day. 



39. Flood tide. 



40. Does not. 



42. Caught for oil ; refuse sold for fertilizers. 



43. One in Milford Harbor, Miles & Co. 

 58. Very materially, iu this locality. 



46. Statement of George W. Miles, Milford, Conn., January 17, 1874. 



1. Whitefish and menhaden. 



2. There are no fish to be comi)ared to them in abundance ; they are 

 innumerable. 



3. Have not diminished, so far as a person can judge, but have rather 

 increased. We count by the thousand ; it takes 3^ barrels for one 

 thousand. 



4. 1873, 12,000,000 J 1872,10,000,000; 1871,8,000,000; 1870,8,000,000. 



5. No, it is not. 



6. April and May. Main body arrives in Long Island Sound during 

 June and July. Sometimes the first fish are the largest; have known 

 small fish to come in as late as August. The schools or runs appear to 

 come at intervals of from two to three weeks. 



7. The fish swim both high and low, and can only be captured to any 



