232 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
the fishermen, since, when the mackerel would come to the surface, a 
large flock of these birds would light upon the water and frighten the 
fish, thus making it exceedingly difficult to effect a capture in the purse- 
seine. 
At 11 a. m. we filled away and stood to the northward. At 3 p. m. 
had a u trial ” for mackerel with u toll-bait,” but caught nothing. We 
then continued our course to the northward until 8 p.m., when we hove 
to and set two gill-nets in lat. 38° 10' N., long. 74° 11' W. The wind at 
this time was east-northeast, with foggy weather. 
Before setting the gill-nets, the small surface towing net was put out 
and a large amount of copepods was taken in it. It was evident that 
u mackerel feed” was abundant. 
On May 10 there was a moderate to fresh easterly wind and foggy 
weather until late in the day, when the fog cleared. 
At 4 a. m. hauled the gill-nets. Fourteen mackerel were caught in 
the herring gill net and seven mackerel in the mackerel net. These 
fish ranged from 11 to 12£ inches in length. Specimens were saved 
and the remainder of the fish carefully eviscerated and their stomachs 
were preserved in alcohol. 
A mackerel shark, which was entangled in the net, was also taken in 
this haul. The fish was skinned by Dr. Bean, who preserved the skin 
for the National Museum. 
At 6 a. m. hove to to “ try” for mackerel with “toll-bait,” but with- 
out success. 
The continuance of foggy weather and a fresh easterly wind, which 
prevailed during the greater part of the day, made it so difficult to 
make observations that, after finishing the trial for mackerel, we lay by 
jogging with head sails to windward. At 4.10 p. m. the fog cleared, and 
eight fishing schooners were seen to the southeast of us. Soon after 
we filled away to the northward, close hauled by the wind. 
At 6.40 p. m. put out the large and small towing nets and towed them 
for half an hour. In the small net some copepods were taken, while 
specimens of young pollock and hake were obtained in the larger net. 
On the 11th, fog prevailed during the greater part of the day, with 
calms and light to moderate variable winds. 
At 6.15 a. m. hove to to “try” for mackerel with “ toll-bait,” but 
caught nothing. 
When the weather cleared in the afternoon we saw twelve fishing- 
vessels and one barkentine. The former were mostly to the southwest 
of us, the most distant vessel about 6 miles away ; they were heading 
to the northeast. 
At 2.30 p. m. I went on board of the schooners Warren J. Crosby and 
Mollie Adams , both from Gloucester. Each of these vessels had taken 
small catches of mackerel, principally mixed fish, during the previous 
night. Captain Jacobs, of the Mollie Adams, had taken a small school 
of large-sized mackerel, some individuals measuring from 13 to 15 inches 
