Chap. XIV. LENGTH OF COURTSHIP. 101 



Paradise con2:re2:ate. In this latter case it is not ex- 

 pressly stated that the females meet on the same trees, 

 but the hunters, if not specially aslvcd, would not pro- 

 bably mention their presence, as their skins are value- 

 less. Small parties of an African weaver (Ploceiis) con- 

 gregate, during the breeding-season, and perform for 

 hours their graceful evolutions. Large numbers of the 

 Solitary snipe {Scoloimx major) assemble during the 

 dusk in a morass ; and the same place is frequented for 

 the same purpose during successive years ; here they 

 may be seen running about *' like so many large rats," 

 puffing out their feathers, flaj)ping their wings, and 

 uttering the strangest cries.^ 



Some of the above-mentioned birds, namely, the 

 black-cock, capercailzie, pheasant-grouse, the ruff, the 

 Solitary snipe, and perhaps some others, are, as it is 

 believed, polygamists. With such birds it might have 

 been thought that the stronger males would simply 

 have driven awav the weaker, and then at once have 

 taken possession of as many females as possible ; but if 

 it be indispensable for the male to excite or. please the 

 female, we can understand the length of the courtship 

 and the congregation of so many individuals of both 

 sexes at the same spot. Certain species which are 

 strictly monogamous likewise hold nuptial assemblages ; 

 this seems to be the case in Scandinavia with one of 

 the ptarmigans, and their leks last from the middle 

 of ]\Iarch to the middle of ]\Iav. In Australia the lyre- 

 bird or Menura su^erha forms " small round hillocks," 



' With respect to the assemblages of the above named grouse see 

 Brehm, 'Thieiiebon,' B. iv. s. 350; also L. Lloyd, 'Game Birds of 

 Sweden,' 18G7, p. 19, 78. Eichnrdsoii, 'Fainia Bor. Americana,' Birds, 

 p. 3G2. Eeferences in regard to the assemblages of other birtls have 

 previously been given. On Paradisea see Wallace, in ' Annals and Mag. 

 of Nat. Hist.' vol xx. 1857, p. 412. On the snipe, Lloyd, ibid. p. 221, 



