Conservation Commission. 189 



NOTES ON FISHES. 



Lampreys. 



The large lake lamprey spawns in the creeks near Oneida 

 lake in May or June. The immature animals abound in the mud 

 and sand of the creek shores and the effects of the parasite are 

 observed daily on the surface of the lake for a considerable period 

 of time, beginning in June or July. Large numbers of tullibee, 

 pikeperch, suckers and other lake species may be seen floating at 

 the surface as victims of the lamprey's appetite for blood. 



In 1911, the lake lamprey was spawning in Frederick creek, 

 at Constant] a, about May 25th, continuing for one week. It 

 usually spawns in June. 



Cayuga lake inlet, near Ithaca, is an excellent location for the 

 large, freshwater lamprey. Spawning begins there about May 

 20th and continues well into June. Another fine location for 

 study is at Constantia, 1ST. Y., in tributaries of Oneida lake. 



The marine lamprey spawns in the Nissequoque river, at 

 Smithtown, L. I., about the 1st of May. Many large specimens 

 have been observed near the bridge which crosses the river at the 

 Riverside Inn, about one-half mile from the railroad station. No 

 doubt this species may be found in other small streams on both 

 sides of Long Island. 



Short-Nosed Sturgeon. 



The following notes on the short-nosed sturgeon are extracted 

 from an article by the writer in Bulletin 60, New York State 

 Museum, pages 68-69 : 



This little known sturgeon has not been generally recognized 

 anywhere except in the Delaware and in Gravesend bay; only a 

 few specimens have been obtained in the river, and it is rare in 

 Gravesend bay. Professor Ryder collected five examples at Dela- 

 ware City in the spring of 1888 and has published a description 

 of the species in the Bulletin of the United States Fish Commis- 

 sion for that year. 



The largest specimen known was thirty-three inches long; 

 individuals twenty inches long are capable of reproducing the 

 species. 



