PSYCHOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR 



67 



Gentle Phase 



It is the second, or gentle, phase of the mating cycle that, in the male, is most distinct and 

 easiest to recognize. At its height he seems to abandon for a few days all interest in terri- 

 tory and in striking display. He is subdued and relatively inactive, preferring to sit still or to 



DURING THE '"GENTLE PHASE 



Gardiner Bump 



BOTH SE\ES AKE QIIET AND M HDl KU IN ACTION 



follow the female at a slow, careful walk, meanwhile twitching his head and neck slightly. 

 Occasionally he repeats a call somewhat similar to that of a female singing on the nest. His 

 whole attitude is the epitome of gentleness. Often he follows close after the female and, 

 when she pauses, lightly places one foot on her tail or back, meanwhile pecking her softly. 

 When she moves away he follows slowly, almost as though in a trance. 



For her part, the female perhaps recognizes that her male, abandoning his pugnaciousness 

 for the moment, is in a gentle mood. H she is in the period of sexual desire or oestrus, she 

 may squat and assume the mating posture*, whereupon mating may take place. But, because 

 this second phase seldom lasts, in captivity at least, more than a week, coition has been more 

 frequently observed at the Center during the last part of the preceding phase, and the first part 

 of the phase to follow. More often, she is inclined to lead him here and there about the pen, 

 ofttimes singing and occupying her nest box, interested in his attentions but not yet ready to 

 yield. It is almost as though, for a brief time, she recognized some bond of mutual under- 

 standing. 



Fighting Phase 



Transition to the third or fighting phase may come swiftly. In it, for a time, the male may 

 return to the strutting display characteristic of the first period, perhaps by way of finding an 

 outlet for the intense energy and stimulation so evident in him at this time. Gradually, how- 

 ever, as interest in the female wanes, he develops a strong pugnaciousness in defense of his 



* See Chapler V. p. 267. 



