FISHES OF NEW YORK 331 



7 



longest ray one third of length of head; pectoral fin reaching 

 slightly beyond dorsal and anal, its length five sevenths of that 

 of the body; ventral origin midway between the eye and the base 

 of caudal, the fin reaching beyond the middle of the anal base, its 

 length two sevenths of length of body. D. 11-13; A. 11-13. 

 Scales 55 (30 to 35 rows between occiput and dorsal origin; 25 

 rows before ventrals), 6 rows between the origin of dorsal and 

 the lateral line. 



Pectoral fin with an oblique white blotch across its lower half, 

 and with a narrow whitish edge; ventrals grayish or whitish, 

 with a slight dusky shade in the axil; dorsal and anal without 

 dark markings. 



The flying fish is found in open seas on the Atlantic coast; it 

 extends northward to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland; it is 

 known also in southern Europe, and in the Pacific and the Indian 

 ocean. 



The flight of the flying fish has been much discussed, for and 

 against; but no doubt remains in the minds of those who have 

 seen the action at close range that the flight is genuine. Not 

 only can the fish start from the water and rise into the air, but 

 it can also change its direction suddenly at will, to escape its 

 pursuers, and it has been observed to hover like a humming bird 

 or a great moth and then dart off suddenly out of reach of the 

 net thrust out to secure it. Such an occurrence took place at 

 Woods Hole Mass., some years ago in the presence of the writer. 



The flying fish is an excellent food fish, but does not come to 

 our markets frequently, because of its habitat in the open sea. It 

 omes aboard vessels occasionally in storms or when trying to 

 escape from its enemies, and is highly prized by its captors. 



The species reaches the length of 1 foot. 



Subgenus cypselurus Swainson 



165 Exocoetus heterurus Rafinesque 



Flying Fish 



Exocoetus heterurus Rafinesque, Caratteri Ale. Nuov. Gen. 58. 1810, 

 Palermo; Jordan & Meek, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 59, 1885; Jordan 

 & Evermann, Bull. 47, U, S. Nat. Mus. 735, 1896. 



