A SUNFISH GUARDING HIS NEST 
Uncle Jack and the children sat down on the bank of 
the creek to watch some little fish in the clear water. 
“Aren’t those beautiful little fish?” remarked Bess. 
“They are pretty,” answered Uncle Jack. “I like their 
name, too. They are called Sunfish.” 
“They are almost as bright as sunshine,” said Fred. 
“They seem to like to stay out where the sunshine is the 
brightest.” 
“What a beauty this one near us is,” said Marylee. 
“Why is it swimming round and round in that one spot, 
and flapping its tail?” 
“That is Mr. Sunfish, and he is making a nest for 
Mrs. Sunfish,” replied Uncle Jack. 
“Does he do all the work?” asked Bess. 
“Yes, he makes the nest by himself. When he has it 
finished, Mrs. Sunfish will lay some eggs in it, and then 
leave him to take care of them.” 
“Doesn’t she help to take care of the eggs and the nest, 
and feed the babies when they hatch?” asked Marylee. 
“No, she leaves all that work for Daddy Sunfish,” 
Uncle Jack replied. 
Buddy added, “Mother told us that is what Mrs. Cat¬ 
fish does.” 
49 
