THE DRUM. 187 



eighty pounds. I have been credibly informed of one that 

 weighed a hundred and one pounds. He is taken abundantly 

 during the summer, both with line and net. 



" Color of the drum, a dull silvery, like the dross of melted 

 lead, with a faint, brassy tinge of ruddy, though between 

 the scales the skin is inclined to blackish on the back and 

 sides, and thereby gives its denomination to the fish. Scales 

 of the body exceedingly large, stiff, horny, and marked by 

 radiated and concentric lines. Their form receding some- 

 what from square, and approaching the figure of the letter D. 

 They are so planted in the skin, that it is difficult to remove 

 them. Lateral line, broad, rather indistinct, and running 

 scaly to the end of the tail. Under the scales the silvery hue 

 is most considerable. A black patch on the other side of the 

 older individuals, behind the pectoral fin. All the fins in- 

 clined to reddish, more especially the caudal, pectoral, and 

 dorsal. Sometimes the space covered or shaded by the 

 pectoral fin is pale or white. Tail even, eyes silvery yellow. 



" His name of drum has been given on account of the 

 drumming noise he makes, immediately after being out of 

 water. 



" He swims in numerous shoals in the shallow bays on 

 the south side of Long Island, where fishermen, during the 

 warm season, can find them, almost like a flock of sheep. Is 

 a dull fish." 



In addition to his whereabouts, stated by Mitchill, he is 

 found in large company in the Kills and off Communipaw, 

 where he is often taken by the weak-fish and basse angler. 

 He sometimes takes a stroll up the stream, solus, and has been 

 taken in Harlem river; and although a dull fish, it would 

 seem, by the following extract from the New-York Herald, 

 sometimes requires skill, experience, and activity, in taking 

 him: 



" A great Haul. A gentleman of this city, who delights 



