■^y'^ REPORT OF THE 



9. Sharp-nosed Shark {Scoliodon terrcB-novce Richardson). 



The Sharp-nosed Shark is a small fish not often exceeding 3 feet in length, rang- 

 ing from Cape Cod to Brazil. This is the Green-backed Shark of Mitchill, described 

 in the Transactions of the Literary and Philosophical Society, Vol. i, page 483. 

 This shark is very common on the coast of the South Atlantic States but occurs 

 very rarely as far north as Long Island. It has not been mentioned in the records 

 of the U. S. Fish Commission at Woods Hole, Massachusetts 



Family SPHYRNID^E. Hammer-headed Sharks. 



10. Shovel-head Shark [SpJiyrnn tibitro Linnjeus). 



The Shovel-head Shark is a common fish on our Eastern coast from Long Island 

 southward. It also occurs in the Pacific. It grows to the length of 5 feet. DeKay 

 stated that the existence of this shark on the New York coast rested upon very 

 doubtful authority. The species, however, has been taken occasionally. 



11. Hammer-head Shark {Sphyma zygcena Linnaeus). 



The Hammer-head Shark is sometimes called Shovel-nose by the fishermen 

 according to DeKay. A small specimen described by him was captured in Septem- 

 ber in a seine in the harbor of New York, in company with several others. He saw 

 individuals in Hellgate 4 feet long. 



Dr. Mitchill mentions 3 examples taken in 1805 at Riverhead, Long Island, in a 

 net. The largest was 11 feet long and upon opening him many detached parts of a 

 man, together with his clothing, were found in his stomach. 



This is not a common shark in Gravesend Bay, but it is occasionally taken in 

 August and September. 



Family ALOPIIDiE. Thresher Sharks. 



12. Thresher Shark {Alopias vulpcs Gmelin). 



The Thresher Shark, according to DeKay, is known under the names of Thresher, 

 Fox Shark, and Swingle-tail. He states that it pursues schools of mackerel, men- 

 haden, and shad and devours them in great numbers. He says that it reaches the 

 length of 15 feet. 



The Thresher Shark abounds in all warm seas, especially the Mediterranean and 

 Atlantic, and it is frequently taken in the Pacific. This is common in Vineyard 

 Sound. It is also found in Buzzards Bay and is not infrequently caught in fish 

 traps. Cod fishermen at Gayhead catch this shark on lines baited with fresh her- 

 ring. Individuals 20 feet long have been caught in Vineyard Sound. 



