466 REPORT OF THE 



Family CEPHALACANTHIDiE. Flying Gurnards. 



214. Flying Gurnard ; Flying Robin {CcpJialacantJius volitans Linnaeus). 



The Flying Gurnard was described and figured by Mitchiil under the name of 

 Polyiiemiis sexradiatiis. DeKay gives to the fish the name Sea Swallow. His 

 description and figure are based upon a specimen caught in a net in the harbor of 

 New York in August. 



DeKay says that by means of its immense pectorals it is enabled to spring from 

 the ocean and support itself for some time in the air. It does this to escape from 

 its enemies. The fish feeds on various small Crustacea. 



At Woods Hole, Mass., a few are taken every year in the fall, according to Dr. 

 Smith. The fish is not so abundant now as it was prior to 14 years ago. It some- 

 times comes ashore in Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound benumbed by cold. 



The Flying Gurnard is an uncommon fish in Gravesend Bay. An example was 

 obtained from there October 30, 1897. The fish grows to a length of nearly i foot. 



Suborder DISCOCEPHALI. 

 Family ECHENEIDID^E. Remoras. 



215. Shark Sucker; Sucking Fish {EcJicneis naucratcs Linnaeus). 



The Shark Sucker, or Sucking Fish, is an inhabitant of warm seas everywhere ; it 

 is common north to Cape Cod and occasionally to San Francisco, often attaching 

 itself to vessels, large fishes and turtles. In the Tropics it is a very abundant species, 

 being found attached to sharks, groupers, or any other large fish. At Key West 

 few large sharks are without them. Jordan and Evermann state that they are often 

 caught with hook and line from the wharf where they frequently forsake their host 

 to take the bait. 



The fish is not uncommon on the coast of Long Island. DeKay says several 

 specimens were brought to him from that coast which had been taken in seines. 

 This would appear to indicate that it is not as constantly attached to other fish as 

 is commonly supposed. DeKay saw a specimen which had ascended a considerable 

 distance up the Hudson River. It appears most commonly in July and August. 

 This fish is found in Gravesend Bay in summer only ; it is usually attached to the 

 Sand Shark. One was obtained there July 28, 1897. In captivity the fish is usually 

 stationary on the bottom, but will often rise to the surface to take food. In Great 

 South Bay it is occasionally seen in company with sharks or vessels. A large one 

 was hooked at The Cinders, near Fire Island, in August, 1901. 



