NOTES ON FISHES FROM THE LOWER POTOMAC RIVER. 
71 
13. Scomberomorus maculatus ( Mitckill) . ; ‘ Spanish mackerel. ” 
This fine food-fish is uot uncommon, in the mouth of the Potomac and for a short 
distance upstream. Considerable numbers are taken some seasons in pound nets and 
other devices. The fish are usually small, averaging only pounds in weight, but 
some years there appears to be a run of much larger individuals. In August, 1888, 
the writer saw a specimen weighing 7\ pounds taken in this locality in a pound net; 
this seems to be the maximum weight attained by the species. 
14. Pomatomus saltatrix (L.). “Tailor”; Bluejish. 
The bluefish which ascend the Potomac, are similar in size to those frequenting the 
Chesapeake; that is, they usually weigh from 1 to 3 pounds. Some years, as in 1888, 
there is a run of fish weighing 6 or 8 pounds, but individuals so large are rarely taken. 
Here, as elsewhere, the fish is erratic in its appearance and abundance. 
15. Stromateus alepidotus (L. ). “ Harvest fish.” 
Uhler and Lugger remark regarding this species : “Occurs in Sinnepuxent Bay 
and in the southern part of Chesapeake Bay.” A number of years’ observations war- 
rant the statement that the harvest fish is not uncommon in the waters adjacent to St. 
George Island, where individuals are seen every year, usually in the months of August 
and September, whence the name. The specimen which gives the species a place in 
this list was taken in August, 1887, in the St. George River ; it was 2 inches in length. 
An interesting and well-recognized habit of the species is that of swimming beneath 
the body and among the tentacles of jelly-fishes; all the harvest fish observed in this 
region have been in this position. This is doubtless for protection. 
16. Lepomis gibbosus (L.). “Sunfish”; “ Tobacco-box “ Pumpkin- seed ” ; Robin perch (Norfolk, Vir- 
ginia). 
Occurs abundantly in a small pond of brackish water on St. George Island in- 
habited by Gambusia , Lucania , Menidia , Fundulus , Cyprinodon , etc. The fish is eaten 
at times by the native inhabitants of the island, although this would seem to be only a 
caprice, with the wealth of more desirable fish close at hand. 
Concerning the hitherto mooted question as to whether the male or female fish 
guards the nest, the weight of recent testimony appears to favor the former and con- 
firms a single observation made at St. George Island. One day in July a crab was 
seen to invade the nest of a pair of sunfisbes. The female retired to an adjacent 
growth of water plants, while the male made savage darts at the intruding crab or 
approached it cautiously from the rear, apparently inviting a chase. This continued 
for some minutes, when the crab appeared to tire and beat a retreat, whereupon the 
male sought his mate and both returned to the nest. The sex of the fish was after- 
wards verified by dissection. 
Eighteen adults and 40 young specimens were preserved. 
17. Roccus lineatus (Blocli). “Rock”; Rockfisli; Striped bass. 
Rot common during summer, but quite abundant in spring and fall. Frequently 
found on hard sandy or gravelly bottom overgrown with Ulva intestinalis. In summer 
the specimens taken are usually under 3 pounds. 
18. Archosargus probatocephalus (Walbaum). “ Sheepshead.” 
To the shy habits and restricted feeding grounds the apparent scarcity of this 
species is to be attributed. An oyster bed in deep water is the place where the fish 
