How Animals Work. 



object of his desires discovered, the little Stickleback 

 at once returns with her to the neighbourhood of the 

 nest. Then a great deal of fussing and coaxing takes 

 place ; for the little lady fish is coy, or does not quite 

 approve the appearance of the nest, and at first declines 

 to enter. The little male grows tremendously excited 

 at her reluctance to comply with his wishes, glowing 

 with colour, hovering over and half entering the nest, 

 as if to show her the way in, and then setting up the 

 spines on his back and dashing about in a most agi- 

 tating way. This latter performance generally has the 

 desired effect, and, half persuaded, half driven, the 

 little female at last enters the nest. Her stay within 

 that neatly-made structure, however, is by no means 

 a lengthy one; for she only remains long enough to 

 lay a few yellow eggs therein, and then immediately 

 departs. 



The little male now enters the nest to examine 

 and fertilize the eggs, and then comes forth to spend 

 the rest of the day in short encounters with any 

 males that dare to approach. Next morning he is up 

 betimes and away in search of his lady-love, who 

 is not always the lady of the previous day. Indeed, 

 two or three different females may each in turn be 

 brought home to provide the full complement of eggs 

 for the nest. Once this is accomplished, the little 

 male closes the entrance to the nest, and, taking up 

 his position outside, mounts guard, fiercely driving 

 away all intruders, including the mothers of his family, 

 should they deign to approach. For some ten to thirty 

 days, according to the temperature of the water, the 

 little fish keeps watch and ward over the nest, which 



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