FISHING FOR STICKLEBACK. 



POND LIFE— IV 



By F. MARTIN DUNCAN, F.R.P.S. 

 "With Photographs by the Author 



WE now come to the consideration 

 of the larger inhabitants of the 

 pond. One of the most inter- 

 esting, perhaps, is the Stickleback ; that 

 graceful and active little fish beloved 

 of our youthful days. The Stickleback 

 is in many respects a very remarkable 

 fish, and is possessed of considerable 

 personality ; in the spring of the year 

 the males become very active, pugnacious, 

 and handsome, their colours being v^ery 

 bright during the breeding season. As 

 the season advances the male fish will 

 swim about amongst the weeds, closely 

 examining each clump, and poke liis 

 nose amongst the stones and shingle 

 seeking for a suitable place in which to 



build his nest ; for the Stickleback in- 

 dulges in the bird-like habit of building 

 a nest for the reception of its eggs or 

 spawn. 



The nest is a really remarkable structure. 

 The male Stickleback first makes a small 

 depression in the sand or shingle at the 

 bottom of the pond, and in this places 

 tiny pieces of weed and fibre to make 

 a soft resting-place for the eggs, and over 

 all he spreads a silken coverlet, formed 

 from a natural secretion that the male 

 Stickleback possesses, mingled with 

 particles of fine ilust or sand. When 

 the nest is completed, the little Stickle- 

 liack. in all the glory of his courtship 

 colouring, goes forth to seek his lady- 



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