New York, October 15, 1914. No. 11. 



OTTO 



Published to advance the Science of coldblooded vertebrates. 



NOTE OX A NESTING SUNFISH 



During the last few days of May, 1914, the 

 writer observed over twenty "nests" of the com- 

 mon sunfish (JE. gibbosus) along the shore of 

 Umpawaug Pond, Topstone, Conn. 



An examination of a few of these did not dis- 

 close any eggs, although many of them were 

 guarded by the spunky little males. 



These nests could readily be seen through the 

 clear water as saucer-like depressions from which 

 the mud and debris had been cleared, exposing the 

 pebbles and sand. 



On one of these nest guardians the writer tried 

 an experiment. Dropping a water-logged piece of 

 heavy fishline into the centre of the nest he 

 awaited results. The sunfish eyed it suspiciously, 

 nibbled at it and then bore it otf two feet from the 

 edge of the nest. This experiment was repeated 

 with various objects with the same result. Finally 

 a half a dozen were thrown in at once, to the con- 

 sternation of the sunfish, who retreated. Two 

 days later the writer observed the same nest with 

 the objects in place, but along side of it a brand 

 new nest with the little sunfish on guard. 



DWIGHT FRANKLIN, 



New York, N. Y. 



