The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1871-06-29
FISHES Ar WORK.

In a late number Of The Little Corporal
is an interesting description Of fishes at
play. The sight was wonderful aud rare,
and few of those who read the account,
viii ever see the like; but many Of us
may watch fishes do work, without going
to sea. For fishes do work, and have
often seen them.
On some parts Of the island Of Aquid-
neck, where / live, the shores arc marshy,
with fresh strcamlels here and there
mcandcring down to the salt water,
There is one marsh in particular, at the
edge Of the bay, with still pools sunk IN
the peaty soil. These are filed partly by
rain from tic clouds, and partly by the
sea that sometimes oycrnows Them at
spring tides. Coarse grass droops around
their margins, forming dark, sheltered
rccesses among its roots; while sea let
tuce and other marine plants loat in
broad, green patches on the surface Of the
brackish water. Every spring scores Of
little fishes find their way into these prct-
ty lakeels aud lay their eggs, or, as we
commonly gay, spawn, ii their quiet
waters.
Many an hour, from March TO June, do
| spend in watching their attractive ways,
as, all unconscious Of observers, they car
ry on their busy housekeeping.
My layoritc among them is the two
spined sGcklcback, II is only two or
three inches long, shaup-nosed, straight
backed, flat-sided, rough.tailed and bony;
with spincs about IT, the two upon It's
back as big and sharp as the prieklcs up
on a gooscbcrry bash. Yet It is bcoui.
full Both male female are green aud
brown above, and silyey below, with
great round eyes; but the male Is much
The handsomer Of the two. His colors
are deeper, and there arc times when bis
checks aud sides become Of a brilliant
red.
When the sun has shone through many
long DAYS, and the water IL warm and
clear, the stlckl back knows it "a time TO
get ready lodging for her eggs. The
male fHd. bis mate, and, side by side,
the pair swim mp and and down, seeking
a convenient place. Sometimes whole
day is spaut Ia searching about, aud ia
holding consultations.
At last a spot is chosen somewhere up
on lhe bottom, and the male sets TO work.
lie begins by clearing of whatever
sticks or other rubbish may be iu the
way, carrying each bit TO distance.
Then be take, away the sand, a m1uthia.
at a time, until be has formed hollow
ofthe size aud shape Of a watch crystal
Sometimes q fragment Of shell or stone
sticks up. and the little fellow ha 70 tug
long aud hard TO remove it.
when the nest IS deep cnoug be lines
itwilh frnuds OF holI0w-wccd, sca lutlueei
or some other smooth plant. These De
cuts with his teeth aud lays HE strips,
one by one, slgewinEa littla sand upon
caeh, to keep Il from being brushed aside
when the bottom OF tha nest Is covered
with layer OF sifips. ali lyiHz one way
he spreads another layer across &C., VIII
ali the pieec- wing the other way, max.
mg d son, even mattress. Omen hr
sinks down apoH this bed aHd presses ii
with lis breast, auuerng lis wing-ikc
da. much Ike a ben canary bird when q.
ming hrrnc-t
AHlhe whi.o Be is at work, his nata
sails ap aud down, encouraging bin by
her presence, but taking 10 part 80 his
toll Eyey now and then iie saim'
swiftly toward hef aaA insists 0u heI
coming 70 see dc meet. She doe, %
willingly bending down and looking ~
Il wi'b dlent approval
some lmcs slie wAadeu 10 search q
lood. and get- oui gf .ighi lle does not
always mi.. her 10 onea bot wheu be
does, p0u sl.oull be there g. lie
drops his precious piece o. sliay troHdI
no matter HoW e4elaily IN lla shaped lti
be quits tie 0est. and itt cns beren q
common sense, fushes il1iy shout o. i
all ii. aims iu liie Btre lost When ID