THE LOVE DISPLAYS OF BIRDS 233 



peeps between two of the feathers. These 

 males are not apparently very pugnacious, 

 neither do they live in close companionship 

 with the hens, but clear an open space in the 

 forest which they keep very clean and tidy, 

 removing all dead leaves and twigs for a space 

 about eight yards square. Here, in this sort of 

 drawing-room, they spend much of their time 

 in solitary state, uttering notes of invitation to, 

 and awaiting visits from, the hens, when they 

 perform a dance, and give a display of their 

 charms for the benefit of the latter. Very curious 

 dances or displays are indulged in by the Cock 

 of the Rock and the Ruff. Again, many of the 

 Game Birds are notorious for their gatherings 

 during the love season for a similar purpose. 

 These displays often terminate in combats be- 

 tween rival males. 



In many cases these dances and displays take 

 place in certain recognised meeting-places, the 

 birds of both sexes resorting to a common 

 rendezvous. But even more extraordinary are 

 those birds that actually build an elaborate and 

 often highly decorated structure in which to 

 conduct the antics or posturings incidental to 

 their courtship. These are the famous Bower 

 Birds. Incredible as the fact may be, it really 



