144 FEESH-WATEE AQUABIA. 



be placed in a suitable and separate vessel during early 

 spring, it will afford mucb amusement, interest, and in- 

 struction. The male fish will have then put on his strikingly 

 beautiful courting dress, the colours of which almost equal in 

 variety and brilliancy those of the rainbow. He is, especially 

 when excited during a fight with a rival, or elated over a 

 victory, a most lovely little fellow — his colouring under such 

 circumstances becoming brighter and more iridescent than ever. 

 Sticklebacks may be caught in most of the ponds, ditches, 

 and slow-running streams of this country; and they can be 

 readily taken according to the directions already given for 

 capturing newts (p. 100). 



If it be wished that the Sticklebacks should build their nests 

 in confinement, they shoidd be caught during the latter part 



Fig. 103. Three-spined Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). 



of April, and placed in an aquarium which is well stocked 

 with growing plants and which contains a great quantity of 

 minute animal life, such as water-fieas and cyclops. These 

 insects will sei-ve as food for the young Sticklebacks. Of 

 course, no other fish but Sticklebacks should be placed in the 

 tank. Should there, however, be other piscine occupants of 

 the aquarium, they would be almost certain to lead a short 

 and immerry htfe. If the tank which is to be set apart for 

 these nest-building little fish be of a fair size, two males and 

 about eight females may be introduced. The former during the 

 courting season are distinguished by their crimson breasts and 

 emerald-green eyes. Almost immediately after entering their 

 new home, each little male will choose for himself a comer or 

 some other part of the aquarium. They will then, though at the 

 same time guarding the chosen spots with the greatest courage 



