FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 437 



water Perch, White Perch, and Black Perch. DeKay states that the fish comes into 

 the New York markets from New Jersey and Long Island where it is obtained in 

 brackish streams. He thinks it is the same perch described by Schoepff under the 

 name of Perch, and River Perch at New York. Schoepff recorded the fish from the 

 coast of New York and Long Lsland, in and at the mouths of fresh water streams. 

 DeKay states that the Little White Bass occurs only in the spring in salt and 

 brackish waters, and is invariably a smaller fish than the Ruddy Bass and is rarely 

 brought to market for food. Writing of it under the name of Small Black Bass, 

 DeKay states that it is commonly known under the name of Black Perch, and is 

 found in various deep fresh water ponds in Queens and Suffolk counties. When 

 weighing i or 2 pounds, it is esteemed good eating, but it rarely reaches that size, 

 being for the most part about 6 inches long. Individuals measuring 15 inches in 

 length, however, have been taken. He says, further, that it rises to the fly and 

 affords much amusement to the sportsman. 



It is never plentiful in Gravesend Bay, but abundant in lakes of Prospect Park, 

 Brooklyn. Near Montauk, L. I., White Perch weighing 2 to 3 pounds and more are 

 reported. 



Young individuals were seined in Shinnecock Bay, July 22, and in Swan River, 

 August 12, 1898. 



The fish is said to be very erratic in its movements in Great South Bay, and 

 fishermen say that when it is disturbed on its feeding grounds it will leave suddenly 

 and go a long distance. Smith's Point was a good fishing locality on August 23, 

 1901, but after the first trial or two the fish could not be found again. Young 

 individuals are moderately abundant at Head of Creek, Southampton. They were 

 found more plentiful there in September, 1901, than at any other locality. 



154. Spotted Grouper ; Snowy Grouper {Epineplieliis niveatus C. & V.). 



The Spotted Grouper, or Snowy Grouper, lives in the West Indies and south- 

 ward to Brazil. It strays northward occasionally in the Gulf Stream as far as Cape 

 Cod. Only young individuals have been taken in northern waters. 



At Woods Hole, Mass., according to Dr. Smith, it is not rare. It was first 

 reported in 1895, when as many as 10 or 12 individuals were obtained in the region. 

 In 1897 several others were taken in summer and fall in a dredge and a fyke net. 

 All the specimens were small, 3 inches or less, and most of them were caught in 

 lobster pots. Between August 15 and October 26, 1899, 35 small examples were 

 seined in Katama Bay. Twelve of these were taken on September 8. A number 

 have also been secured in Rhode Island waters. 



