424 REPORT OF THE 



122. Pilot Fish {Naiicrates ductor Linnreus). 



The Pilot Fish is a pelagic animal, inhabiting all warm seas. It occurs occasion- 

 ally on the Atlantic coast from Cape Cod to the West Indies. It grows to the 

 length of 2 feet. 



DeKay mentions it among the extra-limital fishes and refers to its occurrence in 

 South Carolina. Both Schoepff and Mitchill mentioned this fish, the former regard- 

 ing it as the Pilot Fish of the Atlantic. Mitchill also entertained the same idea. 



At Woods Hole, Mass., it was recorded by Prof. Baird in 1871. 



123. Banded Rudderfish {Seriola sonata Mitchill). 



The Banded Rudderfish was described and figured bj^ Mitchill as the Banded 

 Mackerel. DeKay calls it the Banded Seriole. He states that it is usually caught 

 in August, September and October. He took it by the hook in Long Island Sound 

 in company with the Scup. He states that the fish is called Rudderfish by the 

 fishermen, who apply the same name to other fishes. This fish when fresh from the 

 water has a peculiar coppery smell. 



Two examples of the Banded Pilot were taken in Gravesend Bay in September, 

 1897. Half-grown specimens of the fish were seen in Clam Pond Cove in the fall of 

 1901 but were not captured. This fish is sometimes called Shark Pilot at Woods 

 Hole. Dr. Smith says it is common there from July to October. It is usually 

 seen around piles, pound net stakes, vessels, and under floating seaweed. While 

 the schooner Grainp^is was moored at Woods Hole pier, in August, 1897, a school of 

 Pilot Fish 6 or 7 inches long were beneath the bow and stern for several weeks, 

 feeding chiefly on the slender Silverside. They were very shy and would not take 

 the hook, but some were caught with a dip net. The smallest examples taken in 

 the seine were i ^A inches in length. 



124. Amber Fish {Sci'iola lalamii C. & V.). 



The Amber Fish is found in the Atlantic from W. Florida to Brazil, occasionally 

 ranging northward in summer to Cape Cod. It is a large fish, growing to the 

 length of 5 or 6 feet, and the weight of 100 pounds. An individual which is 

 believed to be of this species was taken by Mr. De Nyse in Gravesend Bay, July 15, 

 1896. The weight of the fish was 13 pounds i ^4 ounces. It is described in the 

 Bulletin, American Museum Natural History, volume 9, 1897, 360-361. 



According to Dr. Smith this fish is rare at Woods Hole, Mass. An individual 

 2)/^ feet long, taken at Woods Hole, September 10, 1895, and another one 37 inches 

 long, taken July 8, 1892, besides several Amber Fish obtained at various times, have 

 been referred to this species. 



