[39] PLAN OF INQUIRY FOR FISHERY CENSUS. AY 
are given to the different kinds, and how do they differ from each other? 
Which is the principal or most abundant variety ? 
3. Which variety shall you have in mind in your answers to the fol- 
lowing questions ? 
B.— Characteristics. 
4, What is their average size (both length and weight), or how many 
to a barrel or bushel? 
5. Are they all about of the same size? If not, how much dothey vary ? 
6. Do those of the same “school” or “run” vary in size? 
7. What is their color when seen in the water? 
C.— Abundance. 
8. How abundant are they compared with other fish? 
9. Have they increased or decreased in numbers since ten, twenty, or 
thirty years ago? If so, to what extent? 
10. If either, what is supposed to have been the cause? 
D.— Movements. 
11. At what date do the alewives first appear in the spring? 
12. When are they plentiest? 
13. When do they disappear? 
14, Are they present during the whole time from their first appearance 
to their final disappearance, or are there separate ‘‘runs” with intervals 
between? 
15. If separate ‘‘runs,” are the fish of the separate “runs” alike in ap- 
pearance, size, and behavior? If not, state the difference. 
16. Is the water of the district of which you speak salt, fresh, or brack- 
ish? 
17. How far do they ascend such rivers (naming the rivers) as you 
are acquainted with? : 
18. Do they ascend to any lakes and ponds (if so, name them), or run 
into any brooks? 
19. Have their movements up the rivers and streams been interfered 
with by dams or in any other way, or can they now ascend as far as they 
were ever accustomed to do? 
20. Has there been any change in their habits in any other respect? 
21. At what date do old fish leave the fresh waters? 
22. Do they appear to go right off to sea, or do they linger awhile 
about the shores? 
23. How far out to sea are they ever found? 
24, Are they ever found in the stomachs of cod, hake, pollock, or other 
fish caught at sea? If you can mention any instances, state where and 
when the fish were caught. 
25. Are they ever taken in seines or gill-nets along with mackerel, men- 
haden, or other fish? If so, mention instances of date, distance, &c. 
