174 
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 
at a temperature of from 66 to 70° F. When hatched, the fry are from 1.5 to 1.9 
mm. in length and are marked by five vertical bands of yellow chromatophores — 
one on the head, one behind the head, one in advance of the vent, and two on the 
caudal portion of the body. The yolk sac is absorbed in about two days, at which 
time the general color of the body is light brownish yellow, marked by two vertical 
bands, the first (behind the head) blackish and the second (about two-thirds the 
distance from the vent to the tip of the tail) yellowish. Various changes in form 
and color pattern occur with further growth, until at a length of about 1 cm. the 
spines and fin rays are distinct and the young may be easily identified by their 
counts. At a length of 3 cm. the young resemble the adult in all essential features, 
although the head and eye are still relatively larger and the vertical fins relatively 
higher than in the adult form. Figures 23 to 34 show the complete development of 
this species. 
In 1912 and 1913 Radcliffe (MSS.) measured several hundred silver perch at 
Beaufort, N. C., and from these data and further measurements of fish from 
Chesapeake Bay, confirmed by examination of the scales, it is possible to throw 
some light on the subsequent growth. By the first winter a length of from 6 to 
14 cm. (2J to 5-|- inches) is attained, depending on the time of hatching, the average 
length for May-hatched fish being about 12 cm. (4f inches) and for June-hatched 
fish about 10 cm. (4 inches). During the winter months growth practically stops. 
The average increment of growth the second season is about 6 cm. (2f inches), with 
a length for the second winter of from 12 to 20 cm. (4f to 8 inches). The first 
spawning occurs in the third season, when the fish are 2 years old and between 
15 and 21 cm. in length (6 to 8i inches). After the first spawning the growth is 
slow, the largest fish of which scales were examined having reached a length of 23 
cm. (9 inches) at the age of 6 years. The species seldom, if ever, exceeds a length 
of 24 cm. (9 i inches) . 
Cape Charles , Va., September 12, 1916 . — The Fish HawTc took 21 specimens of 
Bairdiella chrysura that ranged in standard lengths from 6 to 8.2 cm. 
