e
rock-pools and shallows, with anemones and shellfish of all kinds. In
the rock-pools we shall also find the interesting little fish whose
story we glance at in this lesson. Of course there are baby flat-fish,
and large fish too, along the shore. But these are only visitors. The
real rock-pool fish are those which live their lives there.

Some of them are tiny things, two or three inches long. With quick
movements like Shrimps they dart away as you approach. They have a way
of hiding under weeds and rocks, being very clever at "hide-and-seek,"
and knowing all the dodges. But, by using a net, you will soon capture a
few of them. Then you can put them in a small pool and examine them; or
even keep them in an aquarium, giving them clean sea-water, seaweed, and
the small shrimps on which they feed.

[Illustration: PIPE-FISH AND FLUTE MOUTH]

In our lesson on fish-nurseries we saw how the Sea-stickleback, Sand
Goby and Pipe-fish cared for their eggs or young ones. These three fish
are often to be found by the shore. As you look into the clear and still
waters of a pool you may see a Pipe-fish getting its dinner. This funny
creature looks more like a pencil swimming than a fish. It may be a foot
in length, but its body is no thicker than a pipe-stem!

[Illustration: FISHES (No. 2).
1. John Dory.
2. Rock Cod.
3. Sand Eel.
4. Small Pipe Fish.
5. Cuckoo-Wrasse.
6. Angler.
7. Whiting.
8. Gattorngine.
9. Sapphirnal Gurnard.
10. Three-bearded Rockling.
11. Red Gurnard.
12. Pipe Fish.
13. Bass.
14. Red Mullet.
15. Turbot.]

It has very long jaws. They are quite useless, however, being fastened
together! At their tip is an opening, though a very small one, and that
is the mouth of the Pipe-fish. Of course, with such a mouth, the fish
cannot bite its prey, and so has to suck in small creatures and swallow
them. Its method of hunting them is strange. It stands on its head, as
it were, takes in a mouthful of water, and spurts it out at the sandy
bed of the sea. This stirs up the small living things, which are at once
swallowed by the Pipe-fish.

We have already seen how the male Pipe-fish carries his eggs in his
"pocket." Another curious thing is his suit of armour. Instead of
scales, he has hard plates all over his body. Very often you may see
young Pipe-fish among Sprats and "Whitebait" in the fishmonger's shop.

Most of the little shore-fish are either Gobies or Blennies. No doubt
they have to avoid the sharp ey