THE LOVE DISPLAYS OF BIRDS 237 



together, or wave them up and down with slow, 

 measured beats. In both these displays males 

 as well as females appear to take part. 



But even yet more curious than all is said to 

 be the dance of the Spur-winged Plover of the 

 same region. This unique display is called by 

 the natives its dance, or square dance, and three 

 birds are required for its due performance ; and 

 it is said that the birds are so fond of it that 

 they indulge in it all the year round, not only 

 during the day but on moonlight nights as well. 

 These Lapwings live in pairs, and suddenly the 

 male of a neighbouring pair will leave his mate 

 and fly up to this pair, by whom he is received 

 with notes of apparent pleasure. Then the three 

 form a procession, the visitor walking in front 

 and followed by his hosts, all keeping step and 

 marching rapidly to the utterance of a resonant 

 drumming note to which they keep time with 

 their movements. The notes of the pair behind 

 are uttered like a drum-roll, but the leader gives 

 forth loud single notes at intervals. Presently 

 the march stops, the visitor elevates his wings 

 and stands motionless, whilst the other two, 

 exactly abreast, sink their voice to a murmur, 

 and stoop forward and downward as though 

 •making their bow, and in this attitude remain 



