Feb., 1916] Siinfish Nests of Beimiller's Cove 133 



of shore at v is apparently as favorable as that along the most of 

 the eastern side, considerably more so than much on the western 

 side, which was occupied, and yet in this stretch there were 

 no nests. There is also a similar strip on the eastern side 

 between S and M, which was unoccupied. In fact, taken as a 

 whole, the eastern side presents more favorable surroundings 

 than does the western side and all the nests on the latter shore 

 could have been accommodated on the opposite one. These 

 circumstances suggest that other factors in addition to the 

 character of the bottom aid in determining the matter of 

 location. 



What these other influences are is not yet clear. An 

 element of chance with regard to the shore the fishes follow as 

 they enter the cove may enter into the choice. If anything 

 approximating suitable conditions are found on the shore 

 followed they probably nest without seeking farther. 



Another factor which apparently has some bearing is the 

 proximity of other nests. This is to be gathered from the fact 

 that there is very clearly a tendency to build the nests in 

 groups independently of any influence which restricted area 

 may have in this direction. The grouping of nests on the 

 western shore can be credited in part to restricted surroundings. 

 However, on the eastern side where there was plenty of space 

 to permit a wide distribution, there was at certain points "a 

 decided grouping. This applies to both types although it 

 was more generally true of the small type. Three or four 

 large nests were frequently found rather close together and in 

 some cases they were so near each other that their rims touched. 

 Two such nests are to be seen in Figure 2. One of the most exten- 

 sive groups of large nests was foimd north of the laboratory land- 

 ing at A. A part of this group is shown in Figure 3. The small 

 nests nearly always occurred in groups. I have a record of only 

 ten solitary small nests. They were frequently placed in triangu- 

 lar groups of three, the members of a group lying as close together 

 as they well could. In other instances there were as many as 

 five or six nests within a short distance of each other. There 

 would then be an interval without nests, although apparently 

 suitable for the purpose, followed by another group. 



One other matter of interest with regard to location is the 

 fact, already pointed out, that each type of nest was confined 

 to a distinct zone. This condition was well shown on the 



