SPUR-WING LAPWING 181 
display has no connection with the sexual feeling, 
for it is indulged in all the year round, at all hours 
of the day, and also during moonlight nights. It is 
simply the bird’s manner of expressing its joyous 
spirits; for most living creatures—birds especially 
—have more or less well-defined methods of playing ; 
and play-day with the Téru is every day, and at 
brief intervals. And yet the grave, pompous air of 
the birds, and the military precision of their move- 
ments, might easily lead an observer to attribute 
these displays to some more important motive. Play 
is not only indulged in with neighbours; there are 
many solitary Térus continually wandering about 
from place to place—probably young birds not yet 
settled in life—and when one of these vagrants passes 
near a pair he is immediately invited to join them, 
and when he alights all go through the performance 
together with great zest. In this case, however, as 
soon as it is over, the strange bird is attacked with 
great spirit and chased away; and if by chance he 
comes down again near them, they hasten to drive 
him up with increased fury. He is wanted only for 
five or six minutes and must not outstay his welcome. 
While watching their antics, which the gauchos 
call the Téru’s quadrilles, a curious subject of 
enquiry suggested itself to my mind. It appeared 
to me that its manner of playing has had a reflex 
effect strong enough to mark the bird’s whole charac- 
ter—language, bearing, and habits being coloured by 
it, and even the domestic relations interfered with. 
And with regard to the latter point, though it is the 
