i88 THE BIOLOGY OF BIRDS 



worsted for the moment, and pursued by the other, till, 

 outdistancing him, he turned, and, crouching, rushed 

 furiously on him again. This lasted, perhaps, some three 

 or four minutes, and then ended by mutual consent, perhaps 

 through mutual exhaustion, for the birds fought like demons 

 — yet not harder, I think, than coots." 



When the females or reeves appear on the scene, the 

 bustle of the tournament increases. The jousts last for a 

 longer time and the excitement is great — among the ruffs. 

 For " though the reeves often hurry out of the w^ay of their 

 turbulent admirers, yet they were quite cool and collected, 

 seeming accustomed to the scenes they created, and to know 

 what it all meant." Mr. Selous satisfied himself that a 

 reeve sometimes selects a male from amongst ten or a dozen, 

 and is unmistakable in indicating preference and in making 

 coy advances. The reeves seem to have great power in the 

 assembly, and Mr. Selous is very emphatic in his con- 

 clusion that though the ruffs press about the reeve, they 

 attempt no bullying. They behave " as if they are governed 

 by the consciousness of being able to do nothing without the 

 co-operation of the" reeve — she must first signify her wish. 

 Of display there is something, but it is not such a set or 

 formal display as in the case, for instance, of the pheasant 

 or the pigeon — excitement seems to hinder this. The best 

 example of it is when a bird, darting, first, right away from 

 her, turns, and darting back again, right to her side, with 

 ruff swelled out, and wing (I think on her side) drooped, 

 seems, for a moment, as though he would overwhelm her 

 with his gallant show, but, the next, sinks prostrate at her 

 side, and remains thus glued to the earth." 



" As for the reeve, everything about her, her every action 

 — still more her inaction, her easiness and unconcern — 

 suggests that she is complete mistress of the situation, that 

 every ruff on the ground is absolutely dependent on her will. 

 In fact, she seems the plain and unconcerned little mistress 

 of a numerous and handsome seraglio, each member of which, 

 however he flounce and bounce, can only wait to be chosen." 

 At the height of the breeding season the scene on the 



