258 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. vi. 



of calling from a conspicuous perch, are then briefly referred 

 to and the paper closes with an interesting discussion on the 

 courtship proper, and its bearing on evolution. The author 

 mentions that further watching is required to elucidate the 

 following points : — 



1. How often does each bird go through the act of pairing 'r 



2. Is pairing promiscuous, or do birds pair for the season, 



or for life ? 



3. What is the relation between pairing and nest -building, 



and between pairing and each act of o\aposition V 



4. When does pairing begin in the spring, and for how long 



is it continued ''. 



5. What is the relation of the love-flight, the combats, and 



the calling from a perch, to the courtship proper V 



6. Does the female, which possesses all the structures used 



by the male in his display, ever use them herself for 

 " showing off," or for any other purpose (recognition 

 signals, etc.) t 



Baillon's Crake in Yorkshire. — Mr. J. M. Charlton 

 records {Field, 9.XI.12, p. 958) that he shot an immature 

 female Porzana p. intermedia " early in October " 1912, in 

 the east riding of Yorkshire. This appears to be the fourth 

 record for the county. 



