440 REPORT OF THE 



Mexico shores. Its northern limit appears to be Cape Cod, where the young are 

 frequently found in summer. 



This fish grows to the length of 2 feet and is valued for food. 



The first recorded occurrence of the Gray Snapper at Woods Hole, Mass., was in 

 September, 1897, when 2 small examples were captured. In igoo, 5 specimens were 

 secured, August 29, in Katama Bay. The largest of these was less than 2 inches 

 long, and the largest taken in 1897 was only 2;^ inches in length. 



161. Red Snapper {Neonicenis blackfordi Goode & Bean). 



The Red Snapper is one of the most famous of the market fishes of New York, 

 being conspicuous for its size, brilliant red color, and savory white flesh. Its range 

 is from Cape Cod to the Caribbean Sea. The young occasionally migrate north- 

 ward to Vineyard Sound in summer and specimens have been taken on Long Island. 



An individual 4^^ inches long was caught at Bay Shore, October 25, 1887, ^irid 

 was forwarded to Washington by Hon. E. G. Blackford, Chairman of the New York 

 Fish Commission. 



On July 12, 1890, an example weighing 12 pounds was obtained from a Bass trap 

 at Menemsha, Martha's Vineyard. Mr. Edwards, who secured the specimen, thought 

 that one was caught some years earlier near Block Island. Dr. Smith records a 

 specimen weighing 83^ pounds which was caught October 10, 1890, in a trap at 

 Menemsha ; he also mentions 9 specimens, the largest 2 inches long, which were 

 seined September 7, September 11, and October 20, 1900, at Woods Hole. 



The Red Snapper grows to the length of 30 inches. It is especially abundant in 

 the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. It is taken in great numbers off Pensa- 

 cola and Key West. 



Family HiEMULIDiE. Grunters. 



162. Pigfish ; Hogfish {Orthopristis cJirysoptcriis Linnaeus). 



The Pigfish inhabits the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. 

 It extends northward to Long Island and south to the mouth of the Rio Grande. 

 It is very abundant on sandy shores. 



Mitchill described this fish as the Speckled Grunt ; DeKay has it under the name 

 of the Speckled Red Mouth. He says it is a rare fish, but occasionally appearing 

 in New York Harbor in considerable numbers. It is a very savory food. 



Several examples were taken in Gravesend Bay, October 24, 1894. 



In Great Egg Harbor Bay, New Jersey, the young are abundant in August and 

 September ; many of them were taken in 1897, and a figure will be found in Bul- 

 letin United States Fish Commission, volume VII, plate III, figure 11. 



