348 NATURAL HISTORY. 



torn and sides of the banks ; these he attaches by some glutinous material, 

 that he clearly has the power of secreting, to the different steins destined 

 as pillars for his building. During the operation he swims against the 

 work already done, splashes about, and seems to test its durability and 

 strength ; rubs himself against the tiny kind of a platform ; scrapes the 

 slimy mucus from his sides to mix with and act as mortar for his vegetable 

 bricks. Then he thrusts his nose into the sand at the bottom, and, bring- 

 ing up a mouthful, scatters it over the foundation ; this is repeated until 

 enough has been thrown on to weight the slender fabric down, and give 

 it substance and stability. Then more twists, turns, and splashings to test 

 the firm adherence of all the materials that are intended to constitute the 

 foundation of the house that has yet to be erected on it. The nest, a nur- 

 sery, when completed, is a hollow, somewhat rounded, barrel-shaped struc- 

 ture, worked together in much the same way as the platform fastened to 

 the water-plants, the whole firmly glued together by the .viscous secretion 

 scraped from off the body. The inside is made as smooth as possible by 

 a kind of plastering system ; the little architect continually goes in, then. 

 turning round and round, works the mucus from his body on to the inner 

 sides of the nest, where it hardens like tough varnish. There are two 

 apertures, smooth and symmetrical as the hole leading into a wren's nest, 

 and not unlike it. 



" All this laborious work is done entirely by the male fish, and when 

 completed he goes a-wooing. Watch him as he swims towards a group of 

 the fair sex, enjoying themselves amidst the water-plants, arrayed in his 

 best and brightest livery, all smiles and amiability ; steadily and in the 

 most approved style of stickleback love-making, this }'oung and wealthy 

 bachelor approaches the object of his affections, most likely tells her all 

 about his house and its comforts, hints delicately at his readiness and abil- 

 ity to defend her children against every enemy, vows unfailing fidelity, 

 and, in lover-fashion, promises as much in a few moments as would take a 

 lifetime to fulfil. Of course she listens to his suit ; personal beauty, indom- 

 itable courage, backed by the substantial recommendations of a house ready- 

 built and fitted for immediate occupation, are gifts not to be lightly 

 regarded. 



" Throwing herself on her side, the captive lady shows her appreciation, 

 and by sundry queer contortions, declares herself his true and devoted 

 spouse. Then the twain return to the nest, into which the female at once 

 betakes herself, and therein deposits her eggs, emerging, when the opera- 

 tion is completed, by the opposite hole. During the time she is in the nest 

 (about six minutes) the male swims round and round, butts and rubs his 

 nose against it, and altogether appears to be in a state of defiant excite- 



