456 THE BEAKED CHAETODON. 
The curiously elongated muzzle is employed by this fish in a rather 
unexpected manner, being used as a gun or bow, a drop of water taking the 
place of the arrow or bullet. Perhaps the closest analogy is with the ceie- 
brated, “sumpitan,” or blow-gun, of the Macoushi Indians, a tube through wh'ch 
an arrow is driven by the force of the breath. The Beaked Chztodon feeds 
largely on flies and other insects, but is not forced to depend, as is the case 
with nearly every other fish, on the accidental fall of its prey into the water. 
If it sees a fly or other insect resting on a twig or grass-blade that ovei- 
hangs the water, the Cheetodon approaches very quietly, the greater part of its 
body submerged, and its nose just showing itself above the surface, the point 
directed towards the victim. Suddenly, it shoots a drop of water at the fly, 
BFEAKED CHATODON.—(Chelmo rostratus.) 
with such accuracy of aim that the unsuspecting insect is knocked off its 
perch, and is snapped up by the fish as soon as it touches the surface of the 
water. 
This habit it continues even in captivity, and is in consequence in great 
estimation as a household pet by the Japanese. They keep the fish in a 
large bowl of water, and amuse themselves by holding towards it a fly upon 
the end of a slender rod, and seeing the finny archer strike its prey into the 
water. Another fish, called the “ Archer,” inhabiting the East Indian and 
Polynesian seas, possesses the same faculty, but is not so remarkable for 
its eccentric form and the bold beauty of its tints. 
The Beaked Chztodon inhabits the Indian and Polynesian seas, and has 
been taken off the west coast of Australia, where it is usually found in or near 
the mouths of rivers. Over the head and body of this species are drawn fre 
brownish cross-bands edged with darker brown and white, and in the middle 
