82 BRITISH BIRDS. [voi. x. 



horizontal (Fig. 2), and with very rapid quarter beats, flaps 

 its way round the nest. At each flap it jumps one or two 

 inches from the surface of the nest and makes an inch or 

 two of ground each beat. The number of beats is from 

 three to eight, or even more. The feet seem to open and 

 shut and sometimes close on part of another young one's 

 body, bringing forth sharp cries from the injured one. 



Fi?. 4. SPARROW-HAWK. 

 Young watcliing the apjiroaeh of parent liird. 



{Photographed by J. H. Owen.) 



These " flap dances " often take place suddenly in tlie 

 midst of preening, and when one bird begins at least 

 one of the rest immediately copies the exercise. As 

 they get older it is not an uncommon thing for all to go 

 through the exercise after a meal. At first the young 

 are very sleepy after a meal, but they gradually become 

 less so and later they are exceedingly active for five or 

 ten minutes after a meal. 



Another curious exercise is one for working the leg 

 muscles. The leg is lifted and pushed forward as for 



