404 REPORT OF THE 



nearly torpid with cold but could swim. The fish can remain out of the water four 

 hours without apparent injury. This is a permanent resident of Gravesend Bay, 

 going into deep mud holes near the mouths of creeks in winter. It is abundant in 

 all salt and brackish waters of Long Island. It was frequently found in brackish 

 water in Swan River. 



The smallest examples seen at Patchogue were taken in Swan River August 8, 

 1901 ; they ranged from ^ to ^ of an inch in length. 



Small individuals were found half digested in the stomachs of jelly-fish at 

 Colonel's Island, Great South Bay, July 20, 1901. 



75. Freshwater Killy {Fiindulus diaphanns Le Sueur). 



The Fresh Water Killy is mentioned by DeKay under the name of the Trans- 

 parent Minnow. His description is copied from Le Sueur who had specimens from 

 Saratoga Lake, where it is used as a bait for other fishes. 



This killy abounds in the fresh or slightly brackish waters of Long Island. In 

 1901 it was obtained once in brackish water in Swan River on September 19. It is 

 very abundant in fresh water, especially at Southampton, West Hampton and 

 Brown's Creek. The smallest obtained was % inch long. Examples varying from 

 this size to i^ inches long were seined in Grist Mill Pond, Patchogue, October 3, 

 1901. 



76. Rainwater Fish {Lucania parva Baird & Girard). 



The Rainwater Fish is known to occur from Massachusetts to Florida. It was 

 first described by Prof. Baird from Greenport, Long Island, but was unknown in 

 Great South Bay until many years later. It is abundant in Peconic, Shinnecock, 

 and Great South Bays and in a fresh stream at Water Mill, Long Island. It is some- 

 times found also in brackish and moderately salt water. 



This fish was unexpectedly scarce in tributaries of Great South Bay during the 

 summer of 1901. No specimens were taken near the salt water of the inlet. The 

 fish was most abundant at West Hampton. 



77. Sheepshead Minnow {Cyprinodon variegatus Lacepede). 



The Sheepshead Minnow is recorded by Mitchill as more rare than the other 

 killifishes. DeKay describes it as the Sheepshead Lebias. He says it inhabits the 

 salt and brackish streams in the neighborhood of New York and is used as bait. 

 In Great South Bay it is known as the Porgee Mummy. 



Ayres states that it is never abundant in Old Man's Harbor. It appears in 

 May and at that season usually is seen in pairs in the shallow creeks of the harbor. 



