FISHES OF THE NORTHERN COAST OF NEW JERSEY. 
373 
more abundant now than formerly. These divergent views represent the two theories 
which prevail as to the direction from which the mackerel approach the shores: (1) 
That there is a coastwise migration and that the fish caught in New Jersey are first 
found off Cape Hatteras; (2) that the fish come in to shore directly from the ocean and 
that the littoral movement is only local. Unfortunately, no records are available for 
early years showing the catch of mackerel in the pound or other nets of this coast. 
19. Scomber colias Gmelin. Thimble-eye Mackerel. 
This fish has been exceedingly rare on the New Jersey coast for about six years, 
prior to which time some very good catches were often made in pound nets. As many 
as 2,000 or 3,000 pounds have been taken at one lift. The fish usually weighed § or 1 
pound, but examples weighing 2 to 3 pounds were also caught. Very few were taken 
in 1892. The only example observed by the writer was obtained in a pound net near 
Ocean Grove on September 10. It was 7 inches long. Mr. L. C. Thompson, of Spring 
Lake, reported that a number were secured in his net at intervals during the summer, 
and it is probable that stragglers were also taken in other nets. 
20. Selene vomer (LinnaBUs). 
An example of this fish, 2J inches long, was forwarded to the Fish Commission 
for identification by Mr. O. B. Coit, of Spring Lake, N. J., on August 22, 1892, and was 
examined by Dr. Tarleton H. Bean. Mr. Coit wrote that the fish was very rare in 
that locality. 
21. Trachinotus carolinus (Linn*us). Pompano. 
Occurs sparingly on the New Jersey coast and every season is taken in small 
numbers in some of the pound nets. Mr. L. C. Thompson, of Spring Lake, took about 
25 pompanos, weighing from J to pounds, in 1892. 
22. Seriola zonata (Mitchill). Pilot-fish. 
Occurs irregularly and in small numbers throughout the warmer months. Some 
6 to 8 inches long were observed in pound nets in Monmouth County in September. 
Fish 2 feet in length are sometimes caught. At several places on the New Jersey 
coast this fish is called “ pilot-fish,” doubtless because of its resemblance to the species 
that is properly so called {Naucrates ductor). 
23. Seriola dumerili lalandi (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Jenny Lind. 
This amber -fish occurs throughout the summer, but is not abundant and is never 
taken in such numbers in this region as to indicate that it is gregarious. It is called 
“jenny lind ” at several places in the pound-net section. This is the only common 
name heard for it; its origin could not be ascertained. Numerous examples were 
observed by the writer in Monmouth County in 1892. Mr. W. H. Gant, of Bradley 
Beach, has caught specimens that weighed 40 pounds. The usual weight, however, is 
a pound or a little less, and all the examples seen by the writer were under 2 pounds. 
In 1891 two fish weighing 10 pounds each were caught in a net near Ocean Grove. 
On August 21, 1892, Mr. W. Scott Pierce, of Lake Como, N. J., sent to the U. S. 
Fish Commission for identification a specimen of this fish which had been taken in a 
pound net at that place, and stated that it appeared to be new to that part of the 
coast. A number of these had been caught up to that time. 
Mr. Samuel Ludlow, of North Spring Lake, reported a catch of 300 pounds in his 
pound net in 1892, and it is probable that 5,000 pounds were taken in all the nets in 
that year. 
