Labrid®. FISHES. LABRiDa:. ccxxxv 
ill Massachusetts Bay, but witliin a few years lie has 
England and Nevv York coasts, between April and 
been carried beyond Cape Cod, and lias multiplied so 
November, and is most abundant in May and Octo- 
abundantly that the Boston market has now a full 
ber. it is then, on some parts of the coast, the 
supply without the necessity of importing from Prov- 
most abundant of the larger Fishes, and is a staple 
idence and Newport. He is considered by New 
market Fish. It spawns in May or June, depositing 
Yorkers as an excellent Fish for the table. He 
its eggs in weedy places or among the Eel-grass.” 
grows to the weight of ten or twelve pounds. * * 
It will be seen, then, that this Fish, though a pecu- 
The blossoming of the Dogwood fCornus fiorida) 
liarly American and surprisingly local one, being 
early in April, or of the Chestnut trees, is understood 
greatly circumscribed in its habitat, has increased 
to denote the time of baiting Black-tlsh. 
and enlarged its field or geographical range, and be- 
‘ When chestnut leaves are big as thumb nail. 
come an inqiortant item commercially, as well as a 
Then bite Black-fish without fail ; 
valuable addition to the possibilities of the gentle 
But when chestnut leaves are long as a span. 
angler. In 1850 we occasionally fished for it off the 
Then catch Black-fish, if you can.’ ” 
rocky shores of Swanq>scott and Nahant, and then 
Mitchill advises the proper bait, as the Soft-clam 
it was, as elsewhere, along shore above Cape Cod, 
and the Fiddler-crab. He says : “Some persons who 
rather exceptional to procure moie than a '• few 
live in the neighborhood of the shores where are 
bites.” These shores are peculiarly suited to the 
situated the rocks frequented by Black-fish, invite the 
habits of the 'I'antog, as well as the Conner, as the 
Fish there by baiting. By this is meant the throw- 
multitude of rocks break the sea as it rolls in con- 
ing overboard broken clams, etc., to induce the 
tinually, causing the rapid movement of water that 
Black-fish to renew their visits ; and fine sport is 
delights our finny prey. The range of this Fish is 
procured.’’ Then the manner of fixing the localities 
now recorded as I'roni the Bay of Fuudy to Carolina. 
by “ marks ” on shore, whereby the “ range ” is found 
NIPPER; CONNER; CHOGSET {Tautoyolalrus ad- 
of celebrated “ fishing grounds.” He says: “Great 
spersns [Wulh.), Gill ). — We place at the head of this 
stillness is to be observed, as Black-fish can hear 
article the familiar designation that many Essex Conn- 
very well. He is a strong Fish, and pulls well for 
ly boys will quickly recogidze. No author save Dr. 
one of his weight and size.” Certain occurrences 
Smith has preserved this trivial name. Dr. Storer 
are found to inteifere with this sport. “The ap- 
ignores it; indeed, the name is never heard in Boston, 
pearance of a Porpns infallibly puts an end to it.” 
t hough the Fish is caught in great numbers around the 
Dr. Mitchill first named this Fish from the Indian 
harbor and at the bridges. It is there called Conner. 
(.Mohegan) designation, which is 'I’antog — supposed 
Yet, at Nahant, where many Bostonians “summer,” 
to mean Mach, in his first report it was called 
this Fish is invariably called Nirper. In Marble- 
niger. Dr. DeKa.y regards it as savory Fish, afford- 
head, four miles eastward, on the continuous line of 
ing equal i>leasure to the epicure and angler. Its 
coast, it is called Gunner, a corruption of Conner. 
usual weight is about two pounds. 'J'lie largest he 
In Salem Harbor it is known as Chogset and Perch. 
had seen weighed twelve pounds. Dr. .Storer states 
'I'he terms Bergaij,, Blue-perch and Blue-fish are 
that one was taken off one of the bridges in Boston 
applied in other quarters west of Boston ; the first is a 
which weighed eleven and three-quarter pounds ; 
•New York appellation from the Dutch. Chogset is 
and the largest of which he had any accurate knowl- 
the Indian name. Around Nahant and the shores 
edge weighed sixteen pounds. He is wary and bites 
between Boston and Cape Ann, this Fish is particu- 
well, and is very tenacious of life. He takes the 
larly prized. From the first settlement of the conn- 
hook from April to autumn, and thereafter is only 
try it has been customary for parties to repair, during 
found in deep water. The geographical range of 
the warmer months, for a few hours or days, to these 
this Fish is quite limited. Gen. Pinckney', of South 
shores, notably Nahant, for the purpose of enjoying 
Carolina, iiil reduced a smack load of them into 
the pleasures of “ nippering.” 'The inhabitants of 
Charleston Harbor, some years since, and they were 
Lowell, and even of the manufacturing towns of New 
yet to be found there in 1842. 'riiough this Fish 
Hampshire, whose coast line is exceedingly limited. 
has been introduced into Massachusetts Bay, yet. 
resort here in “ wagon loads.” Formerly, these 
according to Dr. Storer, in 1867, it was supplied to 
parties went fully equipped with poles and lines, and 
New York market from Billingsgate Point, in Well- 
with an assortment of utensils for cooking Fish. At 
fleet. Cape Cod. Dr. J. Y. C. Smil.h says : “Within 
these occasions a tent was pitched on the east side, 
the recollection of gentlemen now living (1833), the 
at Tudor’s Spring, or on the west, at Bass Point. 
'I'aiitog was uidenown in Boston Harbor. A sub- 
Here the excellent cold springs of water that were 
scription was successfully undertaken for bringing 
at hand in the bold head land rocks aftbrded a con- 
them alive in cai's, from Newport, 11. I., which were 
venient element for cooking, and a delightful bever- 
supposed the first of the species which had ever been to 
age during the excessive heats of the summer time. 
the eastward of Cape Cod.” The history of this Fish 
'I'lie Nippers were taken by hook from the rocks in 
is interesting. “ 'I'lie 'J'autog,” says Gill, “ is related 
abundance by the skilled angler, and to him this is 
to the Wrasses of Europe, but is the only member of 
indeed a real pastime, for the little Sea Perch or Nip- 
its genus. It is common on the Atlantic coast, from 
per is game, and fights strongly. Dr. Smith correctly 
Massachusetts to Carolina, but is rarer fui’ther north- 
puts it when he says : “'I'his Fish is probably better 
ward and southward. It makes its appearance in 
developed in Boston than at the south of the Cape, 
large numbers, and in shallow waters on the New 
the water being colder and salter.” IVe have seen 
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