270 NAT,UEAL HISTORY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



thyologists, among whom is Professor Jordan, express skepticism as to the range having been 

 thus artificially extended southward. 



At Cape Lookout, North Carolina, Jordan records the species, under the name "Oyster-fish," 

 as rather commou, the young abundant about the wharves. About Norfolk and in the mouth of 

 Chesapeake Bay they occur, and also on the coast of Southern New Jersey, where they are taken 

 in the vicinity of Beasley's Point, in the channel ways and along the shores, and they are said to be 

 somewhat common on the banks off Sandy Hook and in the southern bays of Long Island. These 

 sandy regions, however, are not so much frequented by them as those abounding in rocky beaches 

 and ledges. 



Habits. Although the Tautog appears to thrive in cool water, as has been shown by the rapid 



extension of the northern range, they seek refuge from too great cold by retreating in winter to 

 somewhat deeper water than that preferred in summer. Here they appear to take refuge under 

 the stones and in crevices of the rocks, if we may judge from their habits as observed in aquaria, 

 their smooth, slimy skins, with scales protected from abrasion by a thick epidermis, enabling them 

 to move about among the sharp-pointed rocks unharmed. They are on this account also especially 

 well suited for confinement in the wells of smacks and in "live-cars," where it is customary to keep 

 them living until required for market. They appear to enter upon an actual state of hibernation, 

 ceasing to feed and the vital functions partially suspended. It is the opinion of fishermen that during 

 the hibernating season the vent becomes entirely closed up, as is known to be the case with hiber- 

 nating mammals. It is certain that they do not retreat far from the shore in winter, and that 

 very cold weather, especially in connection with a run of low tides, often causes very remarkable 

 fatalities. There are instances of their death in immense numbers. In February, 1857, after a very 

 cold season, hundreds of tons drifted upon the beach at Block Island, and along the southern shores 

 of Massachusetts and Ehode Island, and a similar catastrophe took place in 1841. In March, 1875, 

 it is stated that as much as a ton was thrown ashore in the drift ice at Cuttyhunk. They were 

 seen floating by the Hen and Chickens lightship for three successive days. In Southern New 

 England they become torpid in November and December. It is stated that they are sometimes 

 caught as late as Christmas. It is probable that many do not enter upon a state of complete tor- 

 pidity, but remain in a partially active state in deep holes not far from the shore, and that it is 

 these, rather than the hibernating individuals, which are especially liable to injury from the cold. 

 A few are taken in Ehode Island in midwinter both by line and in lobster-pots. North of Cape 

 Cod they are rarely taken except in summer,' while towards the southern limit of their range they 

 are apparently as abundant in winter as at any other time. Mr. Nathan King, a Rhode Island 

 fisherman, states that when the sun is very hot the Tautog leaves the clear spots for shelter among 

 the weeds and rocks. 



Food. — As might be inferred from its haunts and from the character of its strong, sharp teeth, 

 the food of this fish consists of the hard-shelled mollusks and crustaceans which are so abundant 

 among the rocks. In their stomachs have been found, among other things, lobsters, crabs of va- 

 rious species, clams, mollusks, squids, scallops, barnacles, and sand-dollars. Many of the smaller 

 mollusks they swallow, shells and all, ejecting the hard parts after the flesh has been digested. 

 The common bait for Tautog in the spring is the clam, preferably the soft clam, for at this time the 

 fishermen say they have tender mouths. In the fall crabs and lobsters are used, the fiddler-crab 

 and rock-crab being the favorites. They are sometimes taken with a bait of marine worms. 



Ebproduction. — In Narragansett Bay and vicinity they spawn from the end of April until 

 August. 



' The first of the season were taken at Gloucester May 13, 1881. 



