514 THE HABITS AND MIGRATIONS OF SOME OF THE 
interesting facts which come under their observation; but, 
unhappily for science, this class is too small to occupy the 
field, and consequently we are kept in ignorance of this im- 
portant matter. 
he migration of the fishes on our coast may, in a meas- 
ure, be compared to that of the birds on the land, both being 
governed by the seasons. The song birds, for instance, 
which frequent our villages during the summer and attract 
our attention by their musical strains, we greatly miss during 
the winter months, and we know that they have gone to parts 
where the temperature is better adapted for their subsistence 
and comfort. Those who reside at the seashore all the year 
observe movements among the fishes similar to those seen in 
the birds, and the time when each species of fish that is of 
value to the fishermen will make its appearance in any par- 
ticular locality on the coast is practically known. Nearly all | 
the fishes change their habitat as the different seasons ad- 
vance, some by going to more northern or southern latitudes, 
while others move simply from deeper to shallower water, 
and vice versa to find the temperature they require. 
There are no fish which remain in one and the same lo- 
cality or fishing-ground the year around. Consumers of fish 
are acquainted with the fact that all our marketable fishes are 
found at a regular and limited period in our markets. 
The Mackerel (Scomber vernalis), Fig. 108, come into the 
shallow water near the land directly from their winter habitat, 
the deep water of the Atlantic, during the months of May 
and June, and their annual appearance is very regular. 
They approach the coast for the purpose of spawning, and 
on reaching a favorable situation, immediately deposit their 
eggs, and leave them without farther protection. The num- 
ber of eges deposited in one season by each female is esti- 
mated to be between five and six hundred thousand. After 
spawning the fish move northward, following the line of the 
coast till they are checked by the chill of the water, when 
they return, and, in the month of November, seek the deep 
