FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 4O9 



Order HEMIBRANCHII. The Half Gills. 

 Family GASTEROSTEID^. Sticklebacks. 



88. Ten-spined Stickleback {Pygosteiis pungitius LinnjEus). 



The Ten-spined Stickleback is described by DeKay under the name of the 

 Many-spined Stickleback. He states that this fish is found both in fresh and salt 

 water. He had specimens caught in the harbor of New York in company with the 

 common Pipe Fish, and also from a fresh water pond on the island of New York, 

 where communication with the sea is interrupted during the greater part of the 

 year. This fish is known in Great South Bay as the Thornback. A specimen was 

 taken in Swan River in September, 1890. In 1898, this Stickleback was not abund- 

 ant in most localities visited, but was present in Peconic, Shinnecock and Great 

 South Bays. It is less abundant in Gravesend Bay than the other Sticklebacks. 

 At Woods Hole, Mass., it is common in Eel Pond, Quisset Harbor and Hadley 

 Harbor, but rare in open harbors. It is a permanent resident. 



89. Two-spined Stickleback (Gasterosteus bispinosiis Walbaum). 



The Two-spined Stickleback is described and figured by DeKay under this name 

 and also as the New York Stickleback. He says it is found about New York in the 

 salt water streams, and he has noticed it in the Hudson as far up as Albany 

 where the water is fresh. 



Ayres recorded it as very common in Old Man's Harbor in parts least affected 

 hy tides, living chiefly in eel grass, but the young are sometimes taken swimming in 

 companies near the surface in clear water. 



This Stickleback is not common in summer. In 1898, it was taken only in 

 Shinnecock Bay, July 22, and Scallop Pond (Peconic Bay), July 28. It can be kept 

 in captivity and the young have been obtained and reared to the length of about 

 3^ inch, but they must be protected from the adults. 



90. Four-spined Stickleback {Apeltes qiiadracus Mitchill). 



The Four-spined Stickleback was first described and figured by Mitchill in 181 5. 

 DeKay also describes and figures the fish in his New York Fauna. He says the 

 species abounds in our waters. Ayres states that it is found about Old Man's 

 Harbor in similar situations with the Two-spined Stickleback, and that it is the 

 most abundant species in the harbor. He had specimens from fresh water of 

 Connecticut River, on the south side of the island, which differed in being a little 

 stouter, and perhaps a trifle darker in color. 



