THE TAUTOG FISHEET. 273 



the shores where are situated the rocks which are frequented by Tautog invite the fish there by 

 baiting. By this is meant the throwing overboard broken clams or crabs to induce the Black-fish 

 to renew their visits; and flue sport is procured." 



As has been already stated, the Tautog on the coasts of the United States is extremely sensi- 

 tive to cold, and at the approach of the time of hibernation the vent becomes sealed, the fish thus 

 becoming prepared for a minimum consumption of its own fat during its winter sleep. 



The subjoined notice of the torpidity of the Tautog and the Scup by Captain Atwood will be 

 found on page 212 of the Report of the United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries for 

 1871-'72.i 



87. THE CHOGSET OR GUNNER— CTENOIABRUS ADSPERSUS. 



The Chogset or Cunner, Gtenolabrus adspersus, is very similar in appearance to the Tautog, 

 though much smaller and far less important. Its range is more northerly. I can find no record 

 of its occurrence south of New York. DeKay remarks: " I am not aware that it is found south of 

 Delaware Bay." From I^Tew Tork to the Straits of Canso the species is exceedingly abundant, 

 being found everywhere in harbors and bays, particularly in the vicinity of flsh-houses where offal 

 is thE0.wn overboard. Ouvier had specimens from N'ewfoundland, but it abounds on the coast of 

 Labrador. It is closely related to the "Goldsinny," Gtenolabrus rupestris, and the "Connor" or 

 " Gilt-head," Crenilabrus melops, of Great Britain and adjoining Europe. It has numerous common 

 names. In Southern New England it is called "Chogset," a name of Indian origin, sometimes pro- 

 nounced Cachogset. This name appears to have been in occasional use as far west as New York, 

 where, in Mitchill's time, it was also called "Blueflsh." In Maine, the British Provinces, and in 

 some parts of Massachusetts the name "Cunner" is in use, evidently having been brought over by 

 the English colonists who remembered a very similar fish at home which has this name. In New 

 York, in revolutionary times, the name "Burgall" was in use, and continued in use at least until 

 1854, when it is stated by Gill to have been the accepted name in the New York market. This name 

 also is of English origin, certain species of this family being called "Bergylt" in parts of England. 

 This name appears to hold in Eastern Long Island at the present time. At Provincetown they 

 are called " Sea-perch," and at the Isle of Shoals and occasionally on the adjoining mainland 

 "Blue-perch" and "Perch," this also being a reminiscence of English usage. At Salem they are 

 called "Nippers," and occasionally here and elsewhere "Bait-stealers." Where Gunners are found 

 at all they are exceedingly abundant, and, though performing a useful duty as scavengers, are a pest 

 of fishermen, from their habit of nibbling the bait from their hooks. They are the especial detes- 

 tation of those who fish for tautog, since the two species are ordinarily found together. Their 



'In Brown's "American Anglei's Guide," in the article on Tautog or Black-fisb, it is remarked: "The Black- 

 fish abounds in the vicinity of Long Island, and is a stationary inhabitant of the salt water. He may be kept for a 

 long time in ponds or cars, and even fatted there. When the cold of winter benumbs him he refuses to eat any more, 

 and a membrane is observed to form over the vent and close it. He begins to regain appetite with the return of 

 warmth in the spring." (P. 178.) 



"Now we know that Tautog hibernate among rocks near the coast and in our rivers, and it has been stated by 

 Mr. L. Tallman or Mr. Daniel Church that some years ago, after a very cold snap, not only many Tautog were 

 washed ashore frozen stiff, hut afterward quantities were also found dead among rocks off the coast. If, during the 

 winter, they don't feed as stated above, and this membrane closes them up, the conclusion must he that they remain 

 in a state of torpor or sleep during cold weather. Now it happens that the scup, when first taken by traps, are in a 

 state of torpor ; they neither eat nor have any passage. It is prohahly sealed up like the Tautog, and nothing in the 

 shape of food is to he found within them. Some say they are blind, and they seem hardly able or willing to move. 



"The inference, then, is, that the scnp have also heen hibernating within a short distance from the coast, in the 

 same state as the Tautog. This would account for the stray soup mentioned by Mr. Southwick as having been occa- 

 sionally found in March. A warm day wakes him up, and he visits the shore for a day or so and then returns. To 

 my mind this is a more reasonable way of accounting for his presence than to assume that he has heen left behind. 

 If these facts are as stated, it is to be presumed that soup are a local fish, aud do not leave their localities any more 

 than Tautog, about the propriety of the classification of which as a local fish there is no question."— Atwood. 

 18 P 



