FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 473 



it moves off into the deep water. It is often found feeding about wharves, whose 

 supports furnish a suitable hiding place from which to dart upon small fishes when 

 they are congregated in schools. 



The Fluke reaches 3 feet in length and the weight of 26 pounds. 



This fish arrives in Gravesend Bay in May or June, and leaves when cold weather 

 sets in. Small Fluke were obtained in 1898 in Mecox Bay, and at Blue Point Cove 

 and Islip, in Great South Bay, in the month of August. Adults were abundant at 

 Fire Island, September 16, 1898. In 1901 the Fluke was found abundant in the 

 inlets of Great South Bay, and Avas frequently seen feeding upon young Menhaden 

 and Sand Launce. 



231. Spotted Flounder (Paralichthys letJiostigmiis Jordan & Gilbert). 



The Spotted Flounder is the fish which was described by Jordan and Gilbert as 

 the Southern Flounder. 



It is the common large Flounder of the South Atlantic and Gulf coast, ranging as 

 far north as New York. It differs from the Common Fluke or Summer Flounder 

 most notably in the character of its gill rakers, which- are fewer in number, two 

 above and ten below the angle on the first arch, and much shorter than the eye. It 

 also differs from the Fluke in its coloration which is dark olive green, with some- 

 what lighter spots on the head and body ; these spots occasionally distinct, but 

 oftener no vestige of them present. 



DeKay describes this as the Oblong Flounder, which he considers the same as 

 the Spotted Flounder of Mitchill. His specimen was 19 inches long, and he says it 

 is occasionally larger. He states further that it is common along sandy shores of 

 New York and is procured abundantly in the months of September and October ; 

 that it is excellent eating and usually sells at from 6 to 8 cents per pound. 



232. Four-spotted Flounder {Paralichthys oblongus Mitchill). 



The Four-spotted Flounder was first described by 3,Iitchill in 1815. It inhabits 

 the coast of New England and New York : it grows to a length of about 14 inches. 



At \Voods Hole, Mass., according to Dr. Smith, this Flounder is common in 

 May and June, and scarce at other times. It is most abundant about June i, during 

 the run of the Scup and many are caught in traps. The young are rarely observed, 

 but in the fall of 1885 or 1886 large numbers, 2 or 3 inches long, were seined. The 

 average length is 12 inches. The fish spawns in May and its eggs have been 

 hatched at Woods Hole, Mass. They are buoyant, " ,^ of an inch in diameter and 

 hatch in 8 days in water having a mean temperature of 51 degrees to 56 degrees F. 



