RIVER GARDENS; 
He makes two openings to his dwelling, a front 
and a hack door as it were, which he retains in suit¬ 
able form by passing continually through them in 
such a manner as to keep them neat and open. Some 
species build on the ground, others between small 
roots, near the bottom of the stream (see Plate 
Y.); the species Trachurus and Leiurus preferring 
the ground, Fungitius the support of roots, etc. 
When the nest is completed, combats often 
occur between males to keep or obtain possession; 
and then they have many polite ways of inviting a 
favourite female to come and take possession of 
the edifice they have constructed, always keeping 
guard during the time she is depositing her eggs 
(as shown in Plate V.), and wearing, in honour of 
the occasion, their gayest uniforms, frequently 
assuming bright scarlet and pure white on the joyful 
occasion. The male maintains his guard in full uni¬ 
form until the spawn or eggs are all hatched, and the 
young fry begin to disperse in all directions. The 
nest is said to resemble that of the Long-tailed 
Titmouse, which, like it, has two entrances. 
The assiduous duties of the male Stickleback 
appear to he reversed in the salt-water species, 
which, according to a communication from a lady 
at Aberdeen to Dr. Lankester, are, in the case of 
78 
