FIERCE BATTLES 



after his labours. In this natural finery he brings to his 

 little house the female stickleback, who deposits her eggs in 

 the nest and then swims away again. The male, however, 

 stays at home and watches over his offspring jealously and 

 with the greatest care, remaining almost motionless except 

 for his fins, which he waves to and fro very rapidly and thus 

 produces currents so that the water surrounding the eggs 

 is continually changed. Now and then he puts his head in 

 at the window to make sure that all is well, and, being 

 satisfied, comes out again to keep watch. The new-laid eggs 

 would furnish a royal feast for the neighbouring fishes, and 

 the frail shelter is threatened by many enemies ; even the 

 female sticklebacks are such cruel mothers that they would 

 enter the nest if it were left unguarded and devour the 

 whole "sitting." But the male fish's fatherly instinct is 

 the source of unequalled daring and courage ; small as he 

 is, he copes with all assailants, taking no rest and giving no 

 quarter, and after tremendous battles he usually ends by 

 putting his enemies to flight badly wounded. 



When the eggs are hatched the rash youngsters show a 

 disposition to wander away, but their father drives them 

 home again, and it is only when they are becoming strong 

 enough to take care of themselves to some extent that he 

 will permit them to set out and seek adventures of their 

 own. 



103 



