THE DRUM. 
187 
eighty pounds. I have been credibly informed of one that 
weighed a hundred and one pounds. He is taken abundantly 
during the summer, both with line and net. 
‘‘Color of the drum, a dull silvery, like the dross of melted 
lead, with a faint, brassy tinge of ruddy, though between 
the scales the skin is inclined to blackish on the back and 
sides, and thereby gives its denomination to the fish. Scales 
of the body exceedingly large, stiff, horny, and marked by 
radiated and concentric lines. Their form receding some- 
what from square, and approaching the figure of the letter D. 
They are so planted in tho skin, that it i.s difficult to remove 
them. Lateral line, broad, rather indistinct, and running 
scaly to the end of the tail. Under the scales the silvery hue 
is most considerable. A black patch on the other side of the 
older individuals, behind the pectoral fin. All the fins in- 
clined to reddish, more especially the caudal, pectoral, and 
dorsal. Sometimes the space covered or shaded by the 
pectoral fin is pale or white. Tail even, eyes silvery yellow. 
“II is name of drum has been given on account of the 
drumming noise he makes, immediately after being out of 
water. 
“lie swims in numerous 6honls in the shallow bays on 
the south side of Long Island, where fishermen, during tho 
warm season, can find them, almost like a flock of sheep. Is 
a dull fish.” 
In addition to his whereabouts, slated by Mitchill, he is 
found in large company in the Kills and off Communipaw, 
where he is often taken by the weak-fish uud basse angler. 
He sometimes takes a stroll up the stream, solus, and has been 
taken in Harlem river; and although a dull fish, it would 
seem, by the following extract from the New-York Herald, 
sometimes requires skill, experience, and activity, in takiug 
him: 
“A great Haul . — A gentleman of this city, who delights 
