HABITS OF THE MUD-MINNOW, ETC. 



453 



sun-fish (Enneacanthus obesus Gill, Fig. 410) lives in muddy 

 streams, burying itself in the mud in winter. Of similar 

 mud-loving habits is the mud-minnow (Melanura limi 

 Agassiz), which spawns in the spring. The pirate perch 

 (Apliredoderus sayanus De Kay) occupies the nest of corn- 



Fig. 410. The Spotted Sun-fish, Enneacanthus obesus. After Abbot. 



mon sun-fish, and with the female guards it and afterwards 

 the young till they are nearly a centimetre (two-fifths inch) 

 in length, when they are left by their parents. (Abbot.) 



The darters, Etlieostomidce, belong near the perches, and 

 comprise the smallest of fishes. They inhabit the streams 

 of the Mississippi Valley. A common example is the sand- 

 darter (Pleurolepis pellucidus Agassiz, Fig. 411). 



Fig. 411. Sand-Darter. After Jordan. 



The male stickleback (G aster osteus) makes an elaborate 

 nest of leaves, etc., suspended in mid- water, within which it 

 remains watching the eggs and young. 



One of the most valuable food-fishes is the mackerel 

 (Scomber scombrus Linn., Fig. 412), whose range is from 



