FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 385 



28. Butterfly Ray {Ptcroplatca viaclura Le Sueur). 



DeKay knew this fish only from the description and figure of Le Sueur, who had 

 a specimen from Newport, Rhode Island, measuring 42 inches in length and 79 

 inches in width. Le Sueur stated that it is frequently found measuring from 15 

 to 18 feet in width. 



This ray ranges from Cape Cod southward to Brazil; it is not uncommon on the 

 Carolina coast. It is rare at Woods Hole, Mass., but individuals have been 

 'observed there in August and September. The fish occurs rarely in Gravesend 

 Bay. 



Family MYLIOBATIDiE. Eagle Rays. 



29. Eagle Ray {Myliobatis freminvillei Le Sueur). 



The Eagle Ray was also unknown to DeKay, except from the description given 

 by Le Sueur, whose specimens came from Rhode Island. Ayres saw a single indi- 

 vidual in Old Man's Harbor July 17, 1841. Its length was 3 feet 11 inches. At 

 Woods Hole, Mass., this ray is not very common, but a few individuals are taken 

 every year in traps. 



This fish extends along the coast from Cape Cod to Brazil. 



30. Cow-nosed Ray {RJiinoptera bonasus Mitchill). 



This name was given to the species by Mitchill. DeKay reports it as exceed- 

 ingly common about New York in the autumn. With its powerful spade-like snout, 

 writes DeKay, it roots up clams and crushes them between its flattened teeth, which 

 appear to act upon each other like the cylinders of a rolling mill. DeKay borrowe_d 

 this description from Mitchill, who says, " he enters the bay and ranges very exten- 

 sively on the flats where the soft clam lives. These shell-fish he is supposed to 

 devour, for a shoal of cow-noses root up the salt-water flats as completely as a 

 drove of hogs would do." 



This ray extends along the coast from Cape Cod to Florida. It is not rare. At 

 Woods Hole, Mass., it is a common species. It is rarely seen now in Gravesend 

 Bay. 



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