28 THE GAME FISH OF NORTH AMEEICA. 



Sheep's-head^ the latter a migratory fish, visiting us during 

 the summer months only, are in far greater esteem, being 

 regarded by epicures as inferior to none which are taken in our 

 waters. 



The most extraordinary day's sport I have seen recorded in 

 this line fell to the lot of a gentleman of New York, well known 

 as an enthusiastic amateur and a most skilful proficient in the 

 gentle art, and was thus recorded at the time in the Commercial 

 Advertiser of 1 827. I note the circumstance, and quote the fol- 

 lowing lines from a very useful, unpretending, and not therefore 

 less agreeable compendium, " The American Angler's Guide," 

 published, I believe, by Mr. Brown, well known as the proprie- 

 tor of the Angler's Depot, where he keeps an excellent assort- 

 ment of tackle of all kinds, in Fulton-street. I have often 

 derived both information and entertainment from this good little 

 manual, which is succinct and portable, and I strongly recom- 

 mend it to my readers. 



The feat to which I have alluded is thus recorded in its 

 pages : — 



" On Friday last, a gentleman of this city went out fishing 

 from Rockaway into Jamaica Bay, with his son, a lad of twelve 

 years of age. They commenced fishing at half-past seven in the 

 morning, spent half an hour in dining at noon, and quit fishing 

 at half-past one, having taken with their rods, in six hours, four 

 hundred and seventy-two King Fish. Their guide was Joseph 

 Bannister ; none of these fish were taken by him, as he was 

 diligently employed the whole time in preparing bait." 



The writer adds that he admits this to have been " an extra- 

 ordinary performance ;" but he goes on to say " that he has 



