436 REPORT OF THE 



coastwise and cast of the Alleghanies. It grows to the length of about ^^A inches. 

 Ayres recorded this fish from Connecticut River, a stream emptying into Fireplace 

 Bay, on the south side of Long Island. Mr. C. H. Walters, of Cold Spring Harbor, 

 in correspondence has mentioned this darter as one of the fresh water fishes of the 

 Island. 



Family SERRANID^. Sea Basses. 



152. Striped Bass {Rocciis lineatus Bloch). 



The Striped Bass was described by Mitchill under several different names from 

 New York specimens. DeKay says of the Striped Bass : " The larger individuals, 

 called Grceii-licads, never ascend fresh water streams. Along the coast they enter 

 creeks and inlets at night with the flood tide, in order to feed, and return with the 

 ebb. Advantage is taken of this circumstance by stretching a seine across 

 the outlet, when great numbers are taken. As the' weather grows colder they 

 penetrate into bays and ponds connected Avith the sea, where they imbed them- 

 selves in the mud. Near Sag Harbor I noticed one of these ponds which was a 

 source of great annual profit to the owner." 



Ayres states that this fish is common on both the north and south side of the ■ 

 island. On the north side it is seen in the sound as early as the first of May and 

 remains until November. On the south side they are taken in the bays and in the 

 ocean in much larger numbers and of greater size. Fifty thousand weight have 

 been drawn by a single net in five weeks, and the largest weighed from 100 to 120 

 pounds. Their food appears to consist of small fish, chiefly of Sand Launce and 

 Silverside, Cuttle Fish, Shellfish, Mussels, soft clams and young crabs, but which 

 seems to be a greater delicacy to them, soft crabs. 



It is a permanent resident in Gravesend Bay, but the height of the fishery occurs 

 froni October 10 to November 10. Large fish up to 45 pounds are caught in May, 

 but the fall run of fish will range from 9 inches to 2 feet in length. The Striped 

 Bass was caught at Blue Point Cove, August 18, and at Nichols's Point September i, 

 1898. It was moderately abundant in Great River, where it is reported to occur 

 almost throughout the year. Specimens taken in a gill net off Widow's Creek, 

 September 27, 1901, had been feeding upon soft crabs. 



153. White Perch i^Moronc aincricana Gmelin). 



Mitchill mentioned a White Perch, under the name of Red Perch, 14 inches 

 long, from Quogue, Long Island. 



The White Perch is described by DeKay under three names : Ruddy Bass, 

 Little White Bass, and Small Black Bass. He also gives the common names Salt- 



