HABITS OF THE MUD-MINNOW, ETC. 



453 



sun-fish (Enncacanthus obesus Gill, Fig. 410) lives in muddy 

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

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

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

 (Apliredoderus sayanus De Kay) occupies the nest of com* 



Fig. 410. The Spotted Sun-fish, Enneneanthus 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, Etlteoxtonuda>, 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. 411). 



Fig. 411. Sand-Darter. After Jordan. 



The male stickleback (Gust croxt ens) 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 

 (Scomber scombrus Linn., Fig. 41:3), whose range is from 



