WILD LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 353 



along by the stream, resembling a miniature fagot. 

 On these fibres the ova are deposited, and they are 

 then either purposely partly covered with sand by 

 the minnie, or else the particles that are brought 

 down by the current gather over the bundle of fibres 

 and conceal it, excepting one small spot. There 

 several of the slender roots seem to slightly project, 

 and they are kept clear of mud or sand so as to answer 

 the purpose of a doorway. I have watched these 

 operations many times, but never saw the minnie 

 attempt to enter the nest ; indeed, he could not have 

 done so, the opening not being large enough. 



When the nest has reached this stage of completion, 

 it is easy to discover, because the stickleback keeps 

 watch before it, and at that season his breast is of a 

 bright crimson hue. He guards the nest with the 

 greatest care, and if he is tempted away for a minute 

 by some morsel of food he is back again immediately. 

 If a tiny twig or fibre comes along and threatens to 

 catch against the nest, he removes it in his mouth, 

 carrying it out into the stream that it may be swept 

 away. He also removes the sand whenever it begins 

 to accumulate overmuch. It would seem as if a 

 current of fresh water were essential to the ova, and 

 that that is why the opening of the nest is so care- 

 fully kept from becoming choked up. After a while 

 the fry come forth the most minute creatures imagin- 

 able, mere lines about half the length of the finger- 

 nail. They play round the opening, and will retreat 

 within if alarmed. 



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