54 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



2. Not found here except from May till October, varyiDg a little as 

 to the time of coming and going, according to the season. 



3. They used to be more plenty in June than any other time, and that 

 is about the time when scup first take the hook. 



4. No more abundant. 



5. Diminished, so that there is scarcely one scup where there were a 

 hundred ten years ago. 



6. Have been caught beyond the increase, in nets. 



8. Three pounds ; the average, including spring and summer fish, 

 about three-fourths of a pound. The large scup come first, and the little 

 ones follow them. 



10. The female is the largest; but i^robably there is no difference 

 except on account of the spawn. 



11. They come from the southwest, following the shore from Watch 

 Hill or Point Judith, into Buzzard's Bay, generally swimming two or 

 three fathoms under water. 



14. A few^ scattering fish are caught about the 10th of May ; this year 

 a few were caught in April, the season being earlier than usual. 



15. They leave in October, and by degrees ; once in a while one is 

 caught as late as the first of November 



16. They come regularly, with a decrease in numbers from year to 

 year. 



17. The larger fish come first generally. 



18. Both together ; they spawn within five to eight weeks after they 

 first appear. 



19. Neither will take the hook; they appear blind at first. 



21. Swim low ; never seen by the ripi^le on the water. 



22. They come inshore on the flood-tide, and oft* with the ebb. In 

 former times I have waded in and driven hundreds ashore and killed 

 them with nothing but a stick. 



23. I have never known it to happen. 

 25. No. 



29. The different sizes come together. 



30. Gravelly bottom ; rather in currents. 



31. Found at all depths, to ten fathoms. 



33. No; not after spawning. 



34. No. 



35. They feed on shell-fish. 



36. Not at all, except that the spawn may be eaten. 



37. Grabs, and other small shellfish. 

 ■38. No. 



39. Not a great amount; not voracious. 



40. Not in breeding-time ; but usually in the latter part of the season 

 there is a difference in color in both sexes, according to the color of the 

 feeding-ground. On light, sandy bottom they are invariably light- 

 colored; and on rocky bottom, dark. 



41. None. 



42. By catching the fish while going to their spawning-ground. 



46. They always spawn in grass, and prefer some current caused 

 by the natural ebb and flow of the tide. 



50. Near the bottom. 



51. Yellowish. 



63. The parent fish does not devour them ; but eels and other fish eat 

 the spawn. 



64. Very few now seen anywhere. 

 68. No.' 



