CHARACTERISTIC OF THE MALE 



283 



before or after druniniing. with merely lowered wings and perhaps slightly raised and spread 

 tail. Young birds, particularly in the fall of the year, bluster and show off in a similar man- 

 ner, frequently accompanied by a short dash at another individual. Evidence of the same type 



Gardiner Bump 



A STRLTTIAO OKOLSE 



of reaction may be observed during the winter and particularly in early spring, where snow 

 lingers on the ground, when tracks are often noted flanked on either side bv a narrow cut in 

 the snow left by the trailing wings of the bird. 



The display of the female is usually much less vigorous than that of the male and seems to 

 be used only for maintaining her social status. 



Experience with captive birds, however, has shown that the degree to which a male dis- 

 plays is no criterion as to his quality as a breeder. Frequently, highly demonstrative individ- 

 uals prove complete failures, while others which seldom display are often consistently effec- 

 tive. 



Head-twitching 



As described elsewhere* the male usually becomes quite gentle during the final stage of 

 courtship. Tail down, he follows the female slowly about, pausing when she pauses. At the 



* See Chapter II. p. 67. 



