2IO FIRST LESSONS IN ZOOLOGY 



telligent), and hence their ways and hves have more in- 

 terest for us than those of the lower animals. 



The fishes. — We have already studied (Chapter V) an 

 example of the class of fishes. The sunfish is common 

 in streams and ponds all over the country, and its habits 

 can be well observed by patient students. It lives in 

 quiet corners of brooks and rivers, preferably under a log 

 or at the root of an old stump. It is a beautiful fish, 

 shining " like a coin fresh from the mint." Its body is 

 mottled golden, orange, and blue, with metallic luster, 

 darker above, pale or yellowish below. Its fins are of 

 the same color. The tip of its opercle or gill-cover is 

 prolonged like an ear, and jet black in color, with a 

 dash of bright scarlet along its lower edge. Nearly all 

 of the thirty species of sunfish found in the United 

 States have this black ear-like opercle, but some have 

 it long, some short, and in some it is trimmed with 

 yellow or blue instead of scarlet. 



The sunfish lays its eggs in the spring in a rude nest 

 it scoops in the gravel and over which it stands guard 

 with its bright fins spread, looking as big and dangerous 

 as possible. When thus employed it takes the hook 

 savagely, perhaps regarding the worm as a dangerous 

 enemy. The )'oung fishes soon hatch, looking very 

 much like their parents, although more transparent and 

 not so brightly colored. They grow rapidh', feeding on 

 insects and other small creatures, and reach their growth 

 in two or three years. They do not wander far and 

 never willingly migrate. Students should verify this 

 account on the different species. A more exact study of 

 the nests of the different species and the fishes' defense 

 of them would be a valuable addition to our knowledge. 

 The most striking traits of this fish are its vivacity and 

 courage. i he sexes are similar in appearance and both 

 defend the nest. 



