FISHES FOUND IN THE VICINITY OF WOODS HOLE. 
93 
ESOCIDJE. The Needle-Fishes and Gar-Fishes. 
57 . Tylosurus marinus (Walbaum). Garfish; Billfish; “ Bill Eel.” (* t §) 
Common. Fish 2 to 3 feet long arrive about June 15 and are caught in traps with scup. Young, 
from 3 to 6 inches long, found along shores aud in harbors in summer. Examples 10 to 24 inches 
long are usually common and often abundant in September and October. 
58 . Tylosurus acus (Lac^pfede). Houndfish. (* t) 
A fish of this species, 4£ feet long, now in the Woods Hole collection, was taken in a trap at the 
breakwater August 6, 1885; on the top of its head, between the eyes, were 5 or 6 barnacles, each 
about 2$ inches long. In the Proceedings of the National Museum for 1878, Dr. Goode refers to the 
capture of this houndfish (then called Belone latimana) at Woods Hole in 1875. This specimen was 
49 inches long and weighed 5£ pounds. Several other specimens have, from time to time, been sent to 
Washington from Woods Hole. 
59 . Athlennes hians (Cuvier & Valenciennes). (§) 
In the summer of 1895, a specimen of this fish, 2£ feet long, was brought into the Woods Hole 
market from a trap at the breakwater. This is the only known occurrence of the species in these 
waters, or, in fact, north of Florida. 
HEMIRAMPHID2E. The Halfbeaks. 
60 . Hyporhamphus roberti (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Half beak; “Skipper.” (*+) 
Usually common; often abundant at mouth of Vineyard Sound. Found in July, August, and 
September. Caught in traps at Menemsha, and has also been seined at West Falmouth, on Buzzards 
Bay. The usual size of the fish is 8 inches, but specimens as small as 3 inches are taken in the fine- 
meshed collecting seine. In August the thresher shark may frequently be seen among the schools of 
half beaks near Gay Head; when the sharks are driving the fish and causing them to “skip,” the 
jaegers ( Stercorarius ) catch them with great dexterity. 
SCOMBERESOCIDIE. The Sauries. 
61 . Scomberesox saurus (Walbaum). Saury; Skipper; Billfish. (*t) 
Very rare. Given by Professor Baird in his 1871 list. Since then observed only a few times. 
Several specimens now in Washington were taken prior to 1880. On December 4, 1885, one was 
seined on the beach near Nobska Point. Very abundant on the northern side of Cape Cod late in 
fall, and hundreds of barrels are sometimes taken there in traps ; many also go ashore. 
EXOCCETIDiE. The Flying-Fishes. 
62 . Exoccetus volitans Linnaeus. “ Fly iny- fish.” (* t) 
Common some years, but usually scarce. Taken in traps in Vineyard Sound, and a few have been 
caught in Great Harbor. Small fish, from 1-J- to 4 inches, are obtained in seines in the harbor in the 
latter part of September and the first of October. Even the smallest specimens have been observed 
to “fly” a distance of 10 feet. 
GASTEROSTEIDiE. The Sticklebacks. 
63 . Pygosteus pungitius (Linnaeus). Nine-spined Stickleback. (* t §) 
Common in Eel Pond, Quisset Harbor, and Hadley Harbor, but rare in open harbors. Present 
throughout the year. 
64 . Gasterosteus bispinosus Walbaum. Two-spined Stickleback. (* t §) 
Most common of the sticklebacks, being, perhaps, twenty times as numerous as Apeltes. Found 
throughout the year. 
65 . Gasterosteus gladiunculus Kendall. (§) 
A stickleback taken at the surface October 15, 1897, is referable to this species. It may be distin- 
guished from G. bispinosus by its greater depth, brighter color, and fewer dorsal and anal rays. 
Reported as not uncommon at the surface in April and May, but rare at other times. 
66. Apeltes quadracus (Mitchill). Four-spined Stickleback. (* t §) 
Very common. Found at all seasons. 
