. The British bird book . ersary by the scruff of the neck, wiU administer a soundbeating with his wings. The victor celebrates his triumphby a loud, and most unmusical screech, which has beenlikened, by that accomplished observer and sportsman-artist, Mr. J. G. Millais, to the call of cats on the house-topsat midnight. But presently a greyhen makes her cease at once, on all sides ; and intense excitementprevails amongst the whole assembly—^for a large number ofcocks will gather together at these sparring matches. Herapproach has been observed by a single bird, who, unin-
. The British bird book . ersary by the scruff of the neck, wiU administer a soundbeating with his wings. The victor celebrates his triumphby a loud, and most unmusical screech, which has beenlikened, by that accomplished observer and sportsman-artist, Mr. J. G. Millais, to the call of cats on the house-topsat midnight. But presently a greyhen makes her cease at once, on all sides ; and intense excitementprevails amongst the whole assembly—^for a large number ofcocks will gather together at these sparring matches. Herapproach has been observed by a single bird, who, unin-tentionally, gives the signal by suddenly drawing himself upto a rigid position of attention, till he is sure she is reallycoming, then he throws himself into the air and flutters upa few feet, uttering at the same time, a pecuhar hoarse noteof exultation. Immediately all the others follow suit; eachseeming to strive to outdo his neighbour in a series of absurdpirouettings. Here we have a Love-flight, of exceedingly 190. Woodcock carrying Young brief duration, associated with terrestrial combats arid franticprancings. The grouse pursues a different method. He strives toincite his mate to amorous moods by chasing her she is coy, and will tolerate this for hours at a time,apparently intent on nothing more than seeking somethinginteresting to eat, she seems to affect to be quite unaware ofthe presence of her importunate mate; though her behaviouris belied by the fact that she keeps up a continuous cheep-ing note, heard only at this time of the year. Every nowand then he will vary his tactics by leaping up into the airand taking an upward flight of from twenty to thirty feet,crowing vociferously. On alighting he will commence hisaddresses again. Then, perhaps, she herself will take toflight, darting off and twisting like a snipe, evidently enjoyingher tantalizing tactics. He follows in close pursuit, in thehope, doubtless, of satisfying his desires, when she shall comet
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1921
