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especially are other sticklebacks chased from the 

 spot, and not without reason, since they devour 

 eagerly the eggs of their own species whenever 

 an opportunity occurs. I have seen roach, how- 

 ever, permitted to approach a nest without 

 molestation by the stickleback guarding it, which 

 certainly could have defeated in combat a roach of 

 many times his own size. One in a tank blinded 

 two perch of six inches long, because they ven- 

 tured near his nest. On the other hand, some 

 sticklebacks in an ornamental pond seemed to have 

 driven the young carp from the shallows into the 

 thickest shelter of the weeds. The owner of the 

 pond had mistaken the glowing sticklebacks for 

 the young of some goldfish which also occupied 

 the pond, and it was only when I pricked his hand 

 with the spine of one of the little warriors that he 

 would admit his error. 



The nest is at last ready for the eggs. Its 

 guardian is now in splendid condition, and in 

 variety a'nd brilliancy of colouring excels other 

 fish as much as the humming-bird excels other 

 birds. The lower half of his body is of bright 

 crimson, his eyes large and steel-blue, shot with 

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