82 BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES 
put on for nothing. The courtship of fishes—of those at least 
with which we are most familiar in this country—is usually 
a cold-blooded unromantic affair. Not so the stickleback’s. 
Early in the year he prepares a suitable place for his 
establishment by clearing the neighbourhood of all 
possible rivals. The weaker go to the wall ; at least, they are 
compelled to decamp, and passengers have to prepare for battle 
at short notice. The challenge is devoid of formality ; the lord 
in possession dashes upon the stranger without any warning 
and attacks him tooth and nail—that is, with nimble mouth and 
trenchant spine. Peradventure the first owner of the coveted 
nook is not able to hold his own, for a chance thrust of the 
errant knight’s spear may find a joint in the harness even of 
a larger and more powerful fish. Which ever wins, the meed 
of victory is soon apparent. The vanquished combatant fades 
into ashen grey, and slinks away, perhaps to die of his wounds ; 
but the victor, beginning to glow with brighter hues and to 
shine with clearer lustre, seeks the legitimate reward of valour 
in the favours of the fair sex. Many naturalists have described 
the strange and fascinating little drama which ensues, and which 
may be witnessed, it is said, by anybody who will be at the 
pains to keep sticklebacks in a suitable aquarium. The 
victorious male sets about constructing a nest. First he forms 
a depression in the sand by rolling his prickly body about 
therein; then he collects delicate vegetable fibres, such as 
stems of water-weeds or grass, rootlets, and so on, lays them 
longitudinally in the hollow, and secures them in position by 
the secretion of mucus from his skin. Next he begins to build 
walls of similar materials, leaving an open space as a front 
door, and finally adds a roof. The whole structure is described 
as about one inch in diameter. 
By this time the stickleback has attained his utmost degree of 
brilliancy, and swims abroad to seek a bride. There are plenty 
of more or less eligible and attractive maidens in the neighbour- 
hood, for these little fish, notwithstanding the inveterate pugnacity 
Habits. 
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