FISH : THEIR HABITS AND HAUNTS. 59 



ing-trips in a few weeks with full cargoes, 

 while the same localities may be vis- 

 ited in other years and the efforts of the 

 fishermen prove fruitless. So peculiar- are 

 the habits of this fish that oftentimes weeks 

 may pass, the fishing-smack be surrounded 

 by millions of fish sporting upon the surface 

 of the water, and scarce one will allow him- 

 self to be taken ; while, again, the success of 

 a few days will retrieve the disappointment 

 of nearly a season. 



SCAPAUG-SCUP. 



This fish is taken in large quantities in 

 Buzzard's Bay and Martha's Vineyard Sound, 

 but it had not been met with in Massachu- 

 setts Bay until within a few years. It has 

 latterly been found at Buzzard's Bay and 

 Holmes' Hole. It is one of the most com- 

 mon species in the harbors, and is used more 

 than any other fish when fresh. At the 

 latter place it is taken from the rst of June 



