238 THE STORY OF THE BIRDS 



for some time. This concludes the performance, 

 when the visitor returns to his own quarters and 

 to his mate, to receive in turn a single visitor 

 themselves later on. 



Something very similar to the strange antics 

 recorded above may be noticed amongst the 

 various species of Ducks during the nuptial 

 period. These birds may not unfrequently be 

 watched quietly swimming, when suddenly, and 

 for no apparent cause, the male and female will 

 commence a sort of aquatic hide - and - seek, 

 accompanied by no small amount of uproar. 

 Just as suddenly will this strange frolic cease, 

 and the birds, facing each other, will exchange 

 bows with great regularity, either together or 

 precisely in turn. 



Incidentally we may mention that occasion- 

 ally birds that usually display by vocal effort 

 resort to a parade of plumage. The Robin is 

 an example of this. On the evening of the 24th 

 February of the present year, we witnessed on 

 our lawn a most interesting display by three 

 male Robins. Each bird in turn raised its head 

 until the bill pointed nearly perpendicularly to 

 the sky, and slowly swayed the orange breast 

 from side to side as if in defiance ; the other 

 birds, evidently greatly excited by the exhibition 



