14 EIGHTH REPORT OF THE SHELL FISH COMMISSIONERS 
McDonald. With his accustomed energy, he commenced the 
work at once by sending the Fish Hawk, Commander J. F. Smith, 
to our waters, to make preliminary examination, with a view to a 
thorough and comprehensive investigation next year. The Fish 
Hawk is well equipped for the work, and is officered by expe- 
rienced and capable men. From personal interviews with Com- 
mander Smith, the Commissioners have learned the particulars of 
his proposed work, and they believe that it will result in such an 
accurate and complete knowledge of the starfish as will open the 
way to more efficient methods for diminishing if not entirely de- 
feating his ravages. 
OYSTER THIEVES. 
During the past year, oyster cultivators along the western 
shores of the State have suffered great losses from oyster pirates. 
They seem to be so numerous in the neighborhood of Bridgeport, 
Stratford, Norwalk, Westport, and Southport, that the cultivators 
have had to combine, at great expense, for mutual protection. 
Fair Haven oyster dealers, too, have found it necessary to charter 
a schooner to watch their oyster beds off New Haven at night. 
Such depredations as have been made by the pirates are very ex- 
asperating, and if continued are liable to result in violence and 
bloodshed. Four New York boats have been seized during the 
year for dredging on Connecticut beds in the waters off Stam- 
ford. Under the plea that they had misapprehended the true 
position of the boundary line between New York and Connecticut, 
three of them were released on payment of damages and costs. 
The fourth was held to answer, and now awaits trial. The great 
extent of the Connecticut oyster beds, and the long distance of 
many of them from the shore, afford tempting opportunities for 
thieving. For several years prior. to 1887, the Commissioners 
had heard little or no complaint from the cultivators; and it is 
believed little or no thieving had occurred in Connecticut waters. 
But the extensive depredations of the pirates the past year prove 
the necessity of more effectual protection, through private watch- 
men, and more rigorous penal laws. 
CONNECTICUT AND RHODE ISLAND BOUNDARY. 
The work of the Commissioners on the boundary line between 
Connecticut and Rhode Island was completed in 1887, and a full 
report of the proceedings in the settlement of the questions 
