2 66- THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



The following are notes on the instances of autumn and 

 winter displays that have come under our personal observa- 

 tion ; in cases where we have seen the same species displaying 

 several times we have instanced the most striking example 

 fully, and merely referred to the others. We have only 

 once seen the Hoodie displaying at an unseasonable time. 

 This was in Largo Bay on 23rd December 1903, and 

 our note runs: A Hoodie rose up into the air 4 or 5 

 yards, coming down again on the place whence it rose. 

 This it did at least thirty to forty times while we were 

 watching it, apparently for the edification of a bird of 

 the same species, which was sitting on the ground. At 

 last a third Hoodie came along, flew up into the air and 

 fought the first one. This combat continued for some 

 time. When it was over the first bird proceeded to fly 

 up and down again as it did before. On 21st October 

 of the same year two Rooks in a field near Lindores stood 

 side by side close together, gently touching bills now and 

 again, a much less pronounced display but one recalling 

 faintly some phases of the courting antics. 



On the Isle of May on 25th September 1907 and 15th 

 September 1908 and 1909, we watched Meadow-pipits 

 doing their flight in which they descend like a tiny para- 

 chute, singing as they come. A similar display was observed 

 in the Rock-pipit at the same locality on 17th September 

 and 15th October 1910. We have frequently watched 

 this flight in spring, and the above instances differed in 

 no visible way from the vernal manifestations. 



With regard to the Missel-thrush, we have November 

 and December notes referring to behaviour similar to that 

 which takes place in spring. Under 21st November 1910 we 

 have the note in hard frost, " three flying about courting 

 as if it were spring." These birds pair so early that their 

 courting demonstrations are far from uncommon in winter. 

 The autumn displays of our familiar Redbreast must be 

 well known to all our readers, and we merely mention them 

 in passing. On 14th January. 191 1 a Hedge-sparrow 

 was seen near Largo indulging in a courting performance, 

 shuffling round on the branches, looking intently downwards, 



