FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 447 



On September 9, 1893,311 individual 15 inches long was taken in a trap at the 

 breakwater in Buzzards Bay, near Woods Hole, Mass. This is the only record of 

 its capture there. 



In Gravesend Bay the species occurs but rarely. 



175. Kingfish [Mcnticirrlius saxatilis Bl. & Schn.). 



The Kingfish was known to Mitchill and DeKay under the same name. Mitchill 

 described and figured the fish in 181 5 in the Transactions, Literary and Philo- 

 sophical Society, New York. In 1842, DeKay published his description and figure in 

 the New York Fauna. He says the fish was named Kingfish by the early English 

 colonists on account of its excellent flavor. He states that it appears in New 

 York waters in July and August, and that a few wander north of Cape Cod as far as 

 the harbor of Boston. The name Hake is given to the species in New Jersey and 

 Delaware. In the Chesapeake it is sometimes called Black Mullet ; in North 

 Carolina, the Sea Mink ; in the South it is the Whiting or Bermuda Whiting ; on 

 the Connecticut coast it is known as the Tom Cod. The Kingfish occurs northward 

 to Cape Ann, and south to the Gulf of Mexico. Large individuals are not common 

 at Cape Cod, but the young are there in moderate numbers in the summer 

 months. They usually occur in abundance throughout Great South Bay, especially 

 near the inlet. Adult Kingfish were formerly common in Great South Bay, but for 

 many years they have been generally rare. This fish is a favorite in New York 

 waters. It takes the baited hook very readily. Hard Clam, Shedder Crab, Black 

 Mussels, and various kinds of fish are good baits. It goes in schools and associates 

 with the Weakfish. It was formerly abundant in Gravesend Bay but is now rare. 

 In 1898, young Kingfish were seen in Peconic Bay and in various parts of Great 

 South Bay, in August and September. An adult was taken in Clam Pond Cove 

 August 26. In 1901, large Kingfish were occasionally caught in Great South Bay, 

 but the young were unusually few in numbers. Two were obtained in Duncan's 

 Creek, December i, measuring 3 and 4 inches respectively. 



At Woods Hole, Mass., adults full of spawn are common in June, according to 

 Dr. Smith, and uncommon after July 15. F"ish about an inch long appear in the 

 middle of July, and the young are numerous on sandy beaches during the summer 

 until the early part of October, when they leave, having attained a length of 4 or 5 

 inches. The maximum weight is about 2 pounds. 



176. Drum {Pogonias croinis Linnaeus). 



Mitchill describes the Drum under two names. Black Drum and Red Drum. He 

 described a Black Drum weighing 34 pounds. He had a specimen weighing 8c 



