80 THE HUMAN SIDE OF BIRDS 



danger, thus acting as sentinels for their beasts of 

 burden. 



A unique branch of professional sport in the 

 bird world is fighting. The pugilistic tendencies 

 run through the entire bird kingdom, and are es- 

 pecially marked among birds of prey. These 

 quarrelsome creatures fight their battles in the air, 

 and the aggressive warrior soars above his adver- 

 sary and dashes down upon him with terrific force. 

 If the lower bird is sufficiently skilled in duelling, 

 he turns so instantaneously that his enemy misses 

 him and darts past ; if there is no chance to escape, 

 he often turns over and grasps his assailant, and 

 together they fall to the ground. This form of 

 defence is common among kites. 



Game birds are the greatest warriors. They are 

 especially pugnacious during the mating season. 

 At this time they are constantly on the lookout for 

 a rival, and are ever challenging a duel. Every 

 one who has raised game chickens knows the war- 

 like propensities of these birds. When two cocks 

 meet, a battle always follows and not until one of 

 the combatants is wounded or killed does the com- 

 bat stop. The conquered bird is forced to leave 

 the community, and if he has a harem of follow- 

 ers they either go with him or become reconciled to 

 his conqueror. 



