HOOPOES AT THE NESTING SEASON 187 



taking no notice, it is proper to assume that she is 

 taking no notice until we can prove that this assump- 

 tion is incorrect. Now, I submit that it is not possible 

 to adduce one jot or tittle of proof of the hen's alleged 

 pretence. All the evidence goes to show that the hen 

 bird really does not notice the display of the cock. 

 I ask, why should the hen dissimulate ? Why should 

 she show without hesitation her feelings on all occa- 

 sions that call for a display of feeling except this one ? 

 I ask again, even if the hen does notice the display 

 of the cock, has she any sense of beauty ? Is it likely 

 that a bird, which lays its eggs in a dirty dark hole and 

 squats in that hole for a fortnight until it stinketh in 

 such a manner as to be perceptible to the Indian 

 coolie, appreciates the beauty of the corona of the 

 cock or of the bold black-and-white markings on his 

 wings ? I decline to attribute to the hen hoopoe all 

 the wiles of a human coquette. But, grant that she 

 does possess them. What of the cock ? Is he supposed 

 to see through them ? If not, why does he display his 

 beauties to a lady who appears persistently to refuse 

 to notice them ? I submit that the orthodox view of 

 the nuptial display is totally wrong. The cock does 

 not try to show off, nor does his display win him a 

 mate. At the breeding season the sight of the hen 

 excites him, and his excitement shows itself in the 

 form of dance, of the erection of certain feathers, or of 

 song. Even as a man's joy often finds expression in 

 song or dance, so does the pleasure of a bird. A 

 fighting dove often goes through the antics we asso- 

 ciate with courtship. These antics are merely the 



