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time to put itself in a posture of defence. In such 

 a case the aggressor nearly always departs as 

 swiftly as he came, with the other in hot pursuit, 

 and often without having delivered any blow at all. 



But it is when two fish have not yet decided 

 which of them is to be the occupier of some 

 desired nook that the most interesting combats 

 take place. Then we can observe in a fish not 

 two inches long instinctive skill in fighting com- 

 parable to that of the game-fowl. For the fish 

 endeavour with the utmost agility to out-man- 

 ceuvre each other, so as to be able to use the 

 spines to the best advantage, and at such times 

 they will deliver strokes or cuts with the spines at 

 the rate of three or four per second. At such a 

 moment, sight cannot clearly follow the move- 

 ments ; and though the struggle is not continued 

 for more than a few seconds, it is renewed again 

 and again, until one of the rivals is compelled to 

 retire. 



Towards the latter end of April the males begin 

 to build their nests, which are constructed wholly 

 without aid from the females. Much care and toil 

 are undertaken. Every thread selected is mouthed 



