THE THREE-SPINED STICKLEBACK. 213 



Moat of them build nests quite elaborately — which the male defends with great spirit. They 

 inhabit the fresh waters and arms of the sea in Northern Europe and America. 



The Nine-spined Stickleback {Oasterosteus pungitms) is a form equally known in the 

 northern parts of Europe and America, found in both fresh and salt water. Eight other species 

 are known in American waters. The following ax^count of European sjiecies discloses the habits 

 of nest-building, and other habits that apply equally to American forms. 



The Theee-spined Stickleback, a very common fish, is also known under the names of 

 •Tittlebat, Pricklefish, and Shaeplin, 



THREE-SPINEU STICKLEBACK AND FIFTEEN-SPINED STICKLEBACK, WITH NEST.— Gasterosleus aculeatus 



and Oasterosteus spinachia. (Natural Size.) 



It is a most bold and lively little fish, hardly knowing fear, pugnacious to an absurd 

 degree, and remarkably interesting in its habits. Even more voracious than the perch, it 

 renders great service to mankind in keeping within due bounds the many aquatic and terrestrial 

 insects, which, although perfonning their indispensable duties in the world, are so extremely 

 prolific, that they would render the coiintry uninhabitable were they allowed to increase with- 

 out some check. 



So voracious and fearless indeed is this little creature that it .always foiins the earliest game 

 of the juvenile angler, who need not trouble himself in the least about the temper of his hooks, 

 the fineness of liis tackle, or the delicate balance of Ms float. Any one can catch a Stickle- 

 back without rod, float, or even hook. All that is needful is to repair to the nearest streamlet, 

 armed witli a yard or two of thread and a walking-stick. Thin twine will answer very well 

 instead of the thread, and even the stick is not absolutely needed. Having proceeded thus 



