WHEATEARS, DABCHICKS 8i 



the displays in question may be due to it simply 

 and solely : but I cannot believe that all are. Why 

 should this be the case, or how can movements which 

 are often of a complex and elaborate nature be 

 explained solely by reference to some large general 

 factor, such as joy or vital energy? These may lie 

 at the root of all ; but something else, some more 

 special process is, I think, in many cases required. 

 One would not be content to explain all the pheno- 

 mena of history by a reference to human nature, and 

 though it may be true, as the Kaffirs say, that in a 

 cattle-kraal there can only be one bull, yet nature 

 is a good deal larger than a cattle-kraal. I believe 

 myself that various antics which are performed by 

 birds have grown out of various nervous, excited, or 

 automatic movements arising under the influence of 

 various special causes. Two such possible causes — 

 viz. (i) sudden alarm whilst incubating, and (2) 

 paroxysms of rage or nervous excitement during 

 rivalry for the female I have already indicated. Two 

 other possible ones have also been suggested to me 

 by some of my observations, and I will now, by the 

 aid of these, make an attempt — I daresay a lame 

 one — to throw light on the possible origin of a 

 very extraordinary case of bird - antics, described 

 by Mr Hudson in the work I have mentioned, and 

 which is believed by him to be unique. 



The bird in question is the spur-winged lapwing, 

 and the following is Mr Hudson's account of its 

 performances : — 



" If a person watches any two birds for some time — 

 for 'they live in pairs — he will see another lapwing, 

 one of a neighbouring couple, rise up and fly to them, 

 F 



