PISHES OP CHESAPEAKE BAY 
317 
exceeding somewhat the width of interorbital, not quite reaching the tip of the nuchal spine; scales 
on back and sides with prominent keels; first two spines of the dorsal separate; second dorsal and 
anal similar in shape; caudal fin deeply concave; ventral fins inserted under posterior part of pec- 
torals, rather narrow, pointed; pectoral fins in two sections, the upper short and with six rays, the 
lower section long and broad, reaching base of caudal, 1.35 in body. 
Color in life more or less variegated; the back and sides brownish green, with shades of red; 
white underneath; spinous dorsal barred and spotted with purple, brown, and yellow; membranes 
of soft dorsal plain, the rays alternately spotted with yellow and red; caudal fin with two or three 
irregular, vertical, wine-colored bars, with yellowish interspaces; anal with three pale reddish 
bars, its outer edge yellowish; ventrals deep orange; pectorals mostly black, the outer third of fin 
with bright blue bars and spots and a margin of the same color, inner third of fin with five or six 
bright blue streaks, fin everywhere with obscure reddish blotches. In preserved specimens the 
bright colors fade, but most of the markings remain either as light or dark spots and bars. 
A single specimen 170 millimeters (6% inches) in length was seen and preserved. This speci- 
men forms the basis for the foregoing description. The flying fish is readily recognized by its 
broad, depressed head and body, very large preopercular and nuchal spines, long pectorals, and 
the absence of “feelers.” 
This flying fish is reported to feed on various small crustaceans. Nothing has come to our 
notice in the literature concerning the spawning habits of this fish, and it is probable that these 
are largely unknown. The species is said to be able to maintain itself for considerable distances 
in the air by means of its flat body and large, winglike pectoral fins. A maximum length of 1 foot 
is reported. 
Habitat . — Both coasts of the Atlantic Ocean; on the American coast from Cape Cod, Mass., to 
Brazil; common southward; rare north of North Carolina, only occasionally straying northward 
to Cape Cod. 
Chesapeake localities. — (a) Previous records: Lower part of Chesapeake Bay (Uhler and Lugger, 
1876). (6) Specimen in collection: From Ocean View, Va., taken in an 1,800-foot haul seine on 
October 2, 1922. Very rare in Chesapeake Bay. 
Order PHARYNGOGNATHI 
Family LXXV1II. — LABRID/E. The labrid or lipped fishes 
Body moderately elongate, greatly compressed in some species; mouth terminal, usually of 
small or moderate size; lips usually thick, with longitudinal folds; premaxillaries protractile; maxil- 
lary without a supplemental bone; teeth in the jaws strong, prominent, separate or more or less 
fused at the base; lower pharyngeal bones united and bearing strong conical or tubercular teeth; 
nostrils double, without flaps; branchiostegals 5 or 6; gill arches 3}^; dorsal fin continuous, usually 
long, the spines varying from 3 to 20; anal with two to six spines; ventrals thoracic, with one weak 
spine and five soft rays. This family contains about 20 American genera, only two of which are 
known to occur in Chesapeake Bay. 
KEY TO THE GENERA 
a. Anterior profile high and strongly convex; preopercular margin entire; about 70 scales in a lateral 
series; cheeks and opercles largely naked Tautoga, p. 317 
aa. Anterior profile not greatly elevated and only gently convex; preopercular margin serrate; 
about 40 scales in a lateral series; cheeks and opercles mostly covered with scales 
Tautogolabrus, p. 320 
136. Genus TAUTOGA Mitchill. Tautogs 
Body elongate, moderately deep and compressed; anterior profile rather strongly arched 
head nearly as deep as long; eye small, placed high; mouth rather small; lips quite broad and thick; 
teeth in the jaws strong, the anterior ones more or less incisorlike; scales rather small, about 70 in 
a lateral series; cheeks and opercles largely naked; dorsal fin long, continuous, the soft part short; 
caudal fin short, round to slightly' truncate; anal fin with three stout spines, the soft part similar 
to that of the dorsal. This genus consists of a single species. 
A 4 7 
