1(IK "N \ XEST-I$riIJ)IN(J KISII. 



or such like, he places the same material about to hide it, or if of the 

 nature of sand or mud. he sucks some of these up in his mouth and 

 puffs fchem out, like a smoker, about the surface of the nest with the 



purpose, and, perhaps, bo weigh down the lighter materials. 

 Having placed something on the bank bo indicate his whereabout, 

 yon may always be sure to find him there at work for a few weeks 

 until he has reared bo maturity the entire brood. I indicate the spot 

 with two stones, or bits of tile, as marks, treading one into the path 

 the same distance from the edge of the water that the nest is in the 

 Bbnd another further off m a right line with it. The starting of 



ocess goes on all through April, May, June, and 1 have seeu it 

 in July, so that by land-marking opposite several nests you may see 

 all the several stages, of a dozen if you like, going on at the same 

 time. 



If the nest is finished and charged with eggs, you may readily find 

 it on the bottom of the pool by noticing a small hole about the size of 

 a pea. with the lines of the weed-structure all leading to a centre, 

 giving it tin' appearance of a small sphincter, pursed up like a mouth 

 in a pucker, and that he is frequently poised over this opening inclineJ 

 In el downwards in the attitude of a good diver just entering the 

 water, vibrating his fins to move the water towards and into the nest. 

 This action may also he seen, with a bull's-eye lantern, going on at 

 night. 



Each fish ha- his own home and family, and protects them against 

 all the world that is to say, his fish world. This can be shown by 

 catching one and marking him with a small loop of hright -coloured 

 [loss silk as a signal, which you draw just '•taut" — not tight — over 

 bhe narrow pari of the body, leaving a small pennon to trail out about 

 a quarter of an inch or so beyond his tail, by which to identify him, 

 and bhen carrying him in a vessel some fifty yards away to another 

 part of bhe pool, when in a short time, according to the distance, you 

 will find him, like a homer-pigeon, returned to his nest, having been 

 ohased and driven on, like a runaway dog by many of the others as he 



L over or near their territory. You can often keep him in view 

 the whole waj back. On these occasions he rarely stays to tight 

 much except to make passage. 



\, soon as the home is ready he waits near, trimming it with his 

 snout, until a lady visitor of a sad green shade, but withal sublimely 

 portly, Then his vivacity is increased. He shoots back, 



dodging round her. and gets her between himself and the nest, 

 pushing and hut tine at her with his lip, down towards an opening he 

 has h ft at the ha-.- of the nest, through which she glides into it. 

 Wilde there lie Beems in a quiver of delight, but presently he butts at 

 by where her tail may be seen protruding, and 

 her out, Lightened, through generally the other side, where a 

 similar opening appears to he left. This seems to be the whole of the 

 lady's direct responsibilities and duties. I say seems so, but it is 

 conceivable thai if we eon id divine her ruminations she might possibly 



