564 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



strong, the last considerably shortened so that the outline of 

 the fin is emarginate, the fifth spine longest, four sevenths as 

 long as the head, the first spine shorter than the eye; the third 

 and fourth soft rays longest, two fifths as long as the head. 

 The second anal spine more than twice as long as the first, very 

 strong, two fifths as long as the head, and as long as the longest 

 soft ray. Pectoral very long, longer than the head, and reach- 

 ing nearly to or, sometimes, beyond the anal origin. Ventral 

 large, one fifth of total length without caudal, reaching to be- 

 low 19th spine of the dorsal. 



D. XII, 10 to 12; A. Ill, 10 to 11; V. I, 5; P. I, 14. Scales 

 7 to 8-45 to 48-15 to 16. 



Grayish, with about eight vertical black bands, which are 

 about as broad as the interspaces; dorsal dusky; ventral and 

 anal black; base of pectoral dusky; the dark bands are most 

 distinct in the young. 



The sheepshead ranges along the coast from Cape Cod to 

 Texas; it is very rare as far north as Woods Hole Mass., but in 

 southern waters it is still abundant. The species reaches a 

 length of 30 inches and the weight of 20 pounds; it is one of 

 the most valuable of our food fishes and is highly prized for 

 its game qualities. 



In August 1887, the sheepshead was known to have bred in 

 Great Egg Harbor bay, N. J., where about 20 young individuals 

 measuring from 1 inch to 1J inches were seined between August 

 10 and September 9. Adults at that time were present in the 

 bay, but they were scarce. The bottom was covered with algae 

 and convenient hiding places were found under the sod banks. 



The fish is very unusual in Gravesend bay, Long Island. A 

 large individual, weighing 13 pounds, was caught September 16, 

 1897, at Coney Island. That example proved hardy in captivity 

 and the sheepshead generally can be easily kept if the water 

 temperature be properly maintained. 



The sheepshead was at one time common in Great South bay. 

 For this statement we have the authority of Mr Erastus Gordon, 

 of Patchogue, and the following account from Dr Mitchill's 



