26 FISH CULTURE 



or immovable stones are generally avoided. 

 Early in the spring nests are located in shal- 

 lows where the water is likely to catch the 

 warming rays of the sun earliest and receive 

 them the longest, but nests will often be located 

 in places shaded throughout the day; and to- 

 ward the close of the season they may be con- 

 structed in seven or more feet of water, doubt- 

 less because the shallows have become too 

 warm for the proper hatching of the eggs. 

 Wherever possible, a natural nest is placed in 

 close proximity to a large stone, a sunken log 

 or some other submerged object, which will 

 protect it from being violently washed by the 

 water in stormy weather. 



A site selected, the male bass clears away the 

 mud and debris from a circular space, by ex- 

 ceedingly rapid fanning motions of the pec- 

 toral and ventral fins, and by slower sweeps of 

 his tail. Leaves and sticks are carried outside 

 the enclosure in his mouth. Stones and 

 pebbles are pushed into place by means of his 

 nose. Usually a slight concavity is noticed in 

 the natural nest, and should be imitated in the 

 artificial one. Sometimes a natural nest is 



