THE HERRING. 277 



others of its genus that come to us from the north, this fish comes from the south, to deposit 

 its spawn. In Charleston, S. C, it appears in January, proceeding steadily along the coast, at 

 Norfolk in February, and reaching New York in March or April, in accordance with the state 

 of the season. On the coast of Massachusetts it appears in May. The Shad that reach the 

 headquarters of the Hudson attain a distance of one hundred and fifty miles from the mouth. 

 Shad in New England rank low, as the salt-water fishes of the northern coast are superior. 

 East of Boston, Shad are regarded as little better than herring. 



The Herring {Oh/pea liarengus) is undoubtedly the most valuable of fishes, and the one 

 which could least be spared. In Europe it is at once the luxury of the rich and the nourish- 

 ment of the poor, capable of preservation throughout a long period, easily packed, quick and 

 simply dressed, and equally good whether eaten fresh or salted, smoked or potted. 



1. TWAITE SHAD.— Alausafintu. i. SPRAT.— Ciupea sprattus. 3. HERRING.— Chipta harmgus. (One-third natural size.) 



During the greater part of the year, the Herring lives in deep water, where its habits are 

 entirely unknown. About July or August, the Herring is urged, by the irresistible force of 

 instinct, to approach the shores for the purpose of depositing its spawn in the shallow waters, 

 where the warm rays of the sun may pour their vivifying influence upon the tiny eggs that 

 will hereafter produce creatures of so disproportionate a size, and where the ever-moving tides 

 may fill the water with free oxygen as the waves dash on the shores and fall back in whitened 

 spray, thus giving to the water that sparkling freshness so needful for the development of the 

 future fish. 



The Herring is called Alewife in New England, Gaspereau in the British provinces. Spring 

 Herring, Blue-back, Saw-belly, and Cat-thresher in Maine. The Narragansetts called it 

 Aumscrag. Its range is from Newfoundland to Florida. It is thought that Herrings winter in 

 the Arctic Circle and pass southward. They appear off the Shetland Islands in April and 

 May, but the grand shoal is not seen until June. The main body is described as altering the 

 appearance of the ocean miles in extent, divided in columns of six units' length. In America 

 the shad run up the rivers in March, the streams being so full they are trampled or: at 

 fording-places. 



In Massachusetts the Taunton River is a famous place for Alewives. The erection of 



