160 Thiriif-t^econd Aninial Mcciviui 



;> al)()ut three-fourths pound. His mate four pounds. In 

 due time both females deposited their eggs, and when I left 

 the liatchery for the night, both mak^s were fanning tlie eggs in 

 their respective l)oxes. Early next morning found male in box 

 Xo. 2 had apparenth' driven off small male in box No. 3, and 

 was giving his attention to both Ijoxes. These boxes were about 

 forty feet apart. For two days this male could be seen going 

 back and forth fanning the eggs in the two boxes, remaining in 

 each box for two or three minutes. About this time, the small 

 bass of uncertain sex, which I have before referred to, found 

 that while male Xo. 2 was fanning eggs in that box, that box 

 No. 3 was without protection, so he immediately began to devour 

 the eggs there. When male No. 2 returned to l)ox No. 3, he 

 immediately drove off the intruder. Then entering the box 

 would fan eggs. Then a short time after he would return to 

 box No. 2 again. During tin's interval the robl)er bass would 

 enter box Xo. 3 and continue liis destructive work, until again 

 driven out by the return of male from box No. 2. 



"During tlie day the robl)er devoured all of the spawn in Ijox 

 No. 3. After this, male in box No. 2 gave his entire attention to 

 his own box and gave us a fine school of fry. 



"My conclusions were that all of the males should be as near 

 of a size as possilde. Then no one would be able to drive off an- 

 other and take possession of his nest." 



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