TALES OF FISHES 



on the frequented cruising-grounds between Montauk 

 Point and the eastern part of Georges Banks some- 

 time between the 25th of May and the 20th of June, 

 and that they remain until the approach of cold 

 weather in October and November. The dates of 

 the first fish on the cruising-grounds referred to are 

 recorded for three years, and are reasonably reliable: 

 in 1875, June 20th; in 1877, June 10th; in 1878, 

 June 14th. 



South of the cruising-grounds the dates of arrival 

 and departure are doubtless farther apart, the 

 season being shorter north and east. There are no 

 means of obtaining information, since the men en- 

 gaged in this fishery are the only ones likely to re- 

 member the dates when the fish are seen. 



The swordfish comes into our waters in pursuit 

 of its food. At least this is the most probable 

 explanation of its movements, since the duties of 

 reproduction appear to be performed elsewhere. 

 Like the tuna, the bluefish, the bonito, and the 

 squiteague, they pursue and prey upon the schools 

 of menhaden and mackerel, which are so abundant 

 in the summer months. "When you see swordfish, 

 you may know that mackerel are about," said an old 

 fisherman to me. "When you see the fin-back 

 whale following food, there you may find swordfish," 

 said another. The swordfish also feeds upon squid, 

 which are at times abundant on our banks. 



To what extent this fish is amenable to the in- 

 fluences of temperature is an unsolved problem. We 

 are met at the outset by the fact that they are fre- 

 quently taken on trawl lines which are set at the 

 depth of one hundred fathoms or more, on the off- 



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