RIVER GARDENS ; 



He makes two openings to his dwelling, a front 

 and a back door as it were, which he retains in suit- 

 able form by passing continually through them in 

 such a manner as to keep them neat and open. Some 

 species build on the ground, others between small 

 roots, near the bottom of the stream (see Plate 

 Y.) ; the species Trachurus and Leiurus preferring 

 the ground, Pungitius the support of roots, etc. 



"When the nest is completed, combats often 

 occur between males to keep or obtain possession ; 

 and then they have many polite ways of inviting a 

 favourite female to come and take possession of 

 the edifice they have constructed, always keeping 

 guard during the time she is depositing her eggs 

 (as shown in Plate V.), and wearing, in honour of 

 the occasion, their gayest uniforms, frequently 

 assuming bright scarlet and pure white on the joyful 

 occasion. The male maintains his guard in full uni- 

 form until the spawn or eggs are all hatched, and the 

 young fry begin to disperse in all directions. The 

 nest is said to resemble that of the Long-tailed 

 Titmouse, which, like it, has two entrances. 



The assiduous duties of the male Stickleback 

 appear to be reversed in the salt-water species, 

 which, according to a communication from a lady 

 at Aberdeen to Dr. Lankester, are, in the case of 



