The Wrasse-Fishes 



which have been applied to it are cunner, blue perch, bergall and berg- 

 gylt. It reaches nearly a foot in length, and its flesh is excel- 

 lent. These fishes, though useful as scavengers, are a pest to 

 fishermen on account of their habit of nibbling the bait from 

 the hooks. 



The genus Tautoga contains one species, Tautoga onitis, 

 which is an abundant and well-known food-fish from New Bruns- 

 wick to the Carolinas. East of New York it is usually called the 

 "tautog." On the New York coast it is the "blackfish," and 

 further south the "oyster-fish." Though this well-known fish is 

 quite common in most parts of its range, its centre of abun- 

 dance seems to be on the southern New England coast. Very 

 large catches have been reported from Narragansett Bay. It is 

 particularly abundant about rocky shores, where it may often be 

 seen quietly resting or even lying on its side in crevices or cavi- 

 ties. It is a sluggish fish at all times, and very apt to hibernate 

 during cold weather. 



The tautog reaches a maximum length of 3 feet, though 

 those usually seen are very much smaller. 



As a food-fish the tautog is well known and of considerable 

 importance, the catch being made chiefly with handlines. And 

 anglers who visit the seashore find much sport angling for this 

 fish. * Standing on a rocky shore, from which one may fish in 

 5 or 6 fathoms, with hook baited with pieces of crab or lobster, 

 very fine sport can be had. 



Head j\ to 3$-; depth 2f to 3; eye 5^-; snou. 3; pectoral if; 

 ventral 2; D. XVI, 10; A. Ill, 8; scales 14-60-25. Body somewhat 



477 



