418 LOCALITIES. 



THE TAUTOa, OR BLACK FISH. 



Of him Dr. Mitcliil, not unsagely nor unpleasantly, dicourseth 

 after this fashion. The facts of natural history, as herein 

 recorded, are worthy of all confidence; nor are the maxims 

 worthless to the angler : — 



'' The Black Fish abounds in the vicinity of Long Island, and 

 is a stationary inhabitant of the salt water. He never visits the 

 rivers, like Salmon or Sturgeon ; nor, on the other hand, 

 deserts his dwelling-place as they do. He is fond of rocks, 

 reefs, and rough bottoms. He is taken through the whole 

 course of Long Island Sound, Fisher's Island Sound, and in 

 the neighbourhood of Rhode Island. The Tautog was not 

 originally known in Massachusetts Bay ; but Avithin a few years 

 he has been carried beyond Cape Cod, and has multiplied so 

 abundantly, that the Boston market has now a full supply, 

 without the necessity of importing from Newport and Provi- 

 dence. The Black Fish, however, does not confine himself to 

 rough bottoms ; for he is also caught in the southern bays of 

 Long Island, and on the banks of the ocean off Sandy Hook. 

 He is considered, by the New Yorkers, as a very fine fish for 

 the table. He grows to the weight of ten or twelve pounds, 

 and even more ; but is a fish of a good size, that equals two or 

 three. 



