The Audubon Societies 



233 



separated, the other remains single for years and perhaps never remates. On 

 the other hand, with the majority of birds, if one is killed, a new mate is secured 

 within a few hours. 



A few birds, like the Pheasants and, probably, most Grouse, are regularly 

 polygamous and others, like the House Wren (and probably other species of 

 Wrens), Red-winged Blackbirds, Great-tailed Grackles, and doubtless other 



THE CANADA GOOSE DEFENDING ITS NEST 



The Goose (in the foreground) crouches over her eggs while the gander 



grasps the intruder with his bill and beats him with his wings. (Birds 



nesting in captivity) 



species, frequently so; and individual cases can be expected occasionally with 

 almost any species, should there chance to be a preponderance of females, a 

 condition which rarely happens. Polyandry, the mating of one female with 

 more than one male, may likewise occasionally happen, particularly if a 

 stronger male is able to drive away one that is already mated. It is not regu- 

 larly the case with any bird unless it be the Cowbird, and of its domestic 

 relations we still know too little to say definitely. 



