456 



ZOOLOGY. 



sun-fish (Enneacanthus obesus Gill, Fig. 418) lives in muddy 

 streams, burying itself in the mud in winter. Of similar 

 mud-loving habits is the mud-minnow (Melanura liini 

 Agassiz), which spawns in the spring. The pirate perch 

 (Aphredoderus sayanus De Kay) occupies the nest of com- 



w 



Fig. 418. The Spotted Sun-fish, Enneacanthus obesus. After Abbot. 



mon sun-fish, and with the female guards it and afterwards 

 the young till they are nearly a centimetre (two-fifths inch) 

 in length, when they are left by their parents. (Abbot.) 



The darters, Etheostomida}, belong near the perches, and 

 comprise the smallest of fishes. They inhabit the streams 

 of the Mississippi Valley. A common example is the sand- 

 darter (Pleurolepis pellucidus Agassiz, Fig. 419). 



Fig. 419. Sand-Darter. After Jordan. 



The male stickleback (d'/tx/rrox/r/ts) makes an elaborate 

 nest of leaves, etc., suspended in mid- water, within which it 

 remains watching the eggs and young. 



One of the most valuable food-fishes is the mackerel 

 (Sr--.inber scombnis Linn., Fig. 4>C), whose range is from 



