94* Fish and Game Warden. [Bull. No. 1. 



nest is frequently a shallow basin that does not much exceed 

 the length of the fish. 



After the male has the nest completed he begins to search 

 for a mate. In case he finds one before the nest is completed, 

 the female usually helps with the work of completing the 

 home. We have seen both fish working on the nest before the 

 spawning was commenced. A completed nest is one ready to 

 receive the eggs. Such a nest has all the soft mud and debris 

 removed. This the fish accomplished chiefly by the use of its 

 fins, especially the tail fin, though the fish is not averse to 

 grabbing certain kinds of material that is in the way in its 

 mouth and removing it. The nest as completed in the ponds 

 here at the Hatchery is usually fairly well lined with the 

 roots and stems of water plants that naturally grow in such 

 places. In some nests there is a sufficient amount of growing 

 roots and stems of these plants to completely cover the bottom 

 of the structure. Examination showed that nearly all of these 

 roots and stems were attached to the earth and were green, 

 and are not loose pieces of stuff resting on the bottom of the 

 nest. 



The male fish drives away all intruders, including other fish, 

 whether large or small, dashing ferociously at any animal, 

 friend or foe, that may come in that particular locality. Even 

 though completed, the male fish spends much time over the nest 

 fanning it with its fins, apparently to keep the nest bed fresh 

 and clean, until a mate has been chosen and the spawning and 

 hatching season is over. 



After the Nest is Finished. 



After the nest has been finished, as above described, by the 

 male fish, he retires at short intervals, making many near 

 about excursions apparently in search of a mate, and within a 

 day or two, if you take the trouble to visit and watch the 

 place at various times, you will see two fish swimming about 

 the nest. During these excursions it is necessary for the 

 builder of the nest to leave it for short intervals. At such 

 times other fish seem to take a fiendish delight in swimming 

 over, around and about the nest. However, when the owner 

 returns he immediately gives hot chase to all such intruders 

 and meddlers. We have seen two fish which we took for males 

 chasing each other and apparently contending for the owner- 

 ship of a nest. 



The male, which is usually the smaller fish of a pair, con- 

 tinues his search as stated above for a partner until he finds a 

 female that is willing to visit his newly-made quarters and 

 examine the home and nest that he has prepared. If she likes 

 the situation and is pleased with the homestead she remains 

 at the nest, and usually works upon it a while herself, putting 

 on certain finishing touches. Now the male becomes very 

 active and jealous; he swims here and there and continually 



