PERCH-FISHING. 2SS 



sticldebacks as pugnacious as, and more penetrable than 

 himself. 



Even in confinement the movements of sticklebacks are 

 described by those who have watched them as being most 

 warlike. When a few are first turned in, they swim about in a 

 shoal, apparently exploring their new habitation. Suddenly 

 one will take possession of a particular corner of the tub, or, 

 as it will sometimes happen, of the bottom, and will instantly 

 commence an attack on his companions ; and if either of them 

 ventures to oppose his sway, a regular and furious battle ensues. 

 The two combatants swim round and round each other with 

 the greatest rapidity, biting and endeavouring to pierce each 

 other with their spines, which on these occasions are pro- 

 jected. 



Contests of this sort frequently last several minutes before 

 either will give way ; and when one does submit, description 

 can hardly exaggerate the vindictive fury of the conqueror, 

 who, in the most persevering and unrelenting way, chases his 

 rival from one part of the tub to another, until fairly exhausted 

 with fatigue. The stickleback also uses his spines with such 

 fatal effect, that one has been known during a battle absolutely 

 to rip his opponent right open, so that he sank to the bottom 

 and died. 



Three or four parts of the tub are occasionally taken 

 possession of by as many little tyrants, who guard their terri- 

 tories with strict vigilance ; and the slightest invasion invariably 

 brings on a battle. During these internecine combats, the 

 colours of both belligerents frequently undergo a marked and 

 extraordinary change, those of the victor becoming a deep 

 crimson on the belly and green on the back, and the vanquished 

 losing both his brilliancy and spirit together. These, it should 

 be observed, are the habits of the male fish alone ; the females 

 are quite pacific — appear fat, as if full of roe — and never 

 assume the brilliant colours of the male, by whom they are 

 unmolested. 



In a former essay on the ' Outlines of Ichthyology,' I alluded 



