ITS PUGNACITY. 75 



but it was not for some time, that to me appeared 

 hours, that the fish was disposed of. And even then 

 it left its traces ; and if it would be any satisfaction 

 to the fish to know that ample vengeance was taken 

 for its death, it must have been thoroughly gratified. 



There are few fish more favoured in point of deco- 

 ration than the stickleback ; although the decoration, 

 like that of soldiers, is only given to the gentlemen, 

 and of them only to the victors in fight. 



They are most irritable and pugnacious creatures, 

 that is, in the early spring months, when the great 

 business of the nursery is in progress. And the word 

 nursery is used advisedly; for the stickleback does 

 not leave her eggs to the mercy of the waters, but 

 establishes a domicile, over which her husband keeps 

 guard. 



The vigilance of this little sentry is wonderful; 

 and I have often seen fierce fights taking place. Not 

 a fish passes within a certain distance of the forbid- 

 den spot, but out darts the stickleback like an arrow, 

 all his spines at their full stretch, and his body 

 glowing with green and scarlet. .So furious is the 

 fish at this time that I have sometimes amused 

 myself by making him fight a walking-stick. 



If the stick were placed in the water at the distance 

 of a yard or so, no notice was taken. But as the 

 stick was drawn through the water, the watchful 

 sentinel issued from his place of concealment, and 

 when the intruding stick came within the charmed 



