164 BIRD LIFE GLIMPSES 



side, the generative act appears to be performed. 

 That, at any rate, is what it looks like — the re- 

 semblance could hardly be more exact. 



What is the meaning of this strange performance ? 

 The cock bird, say the handbooks, is displaying 

 before the hen. But where is the hen ^ In nine 

 cases out of ten she is not there ; and this, and, still 

 more, the peculiarity of the actions, have convinced 

 me that a wish to please is not the real motive of 

 them. Again, it is assumed that the cock bird, only, 

 rolls in this way. But is this the case ? Some 

 further observations, as recorded by me in my field 

 notes, may serve to answer this question. ''Two 

 peewits have just paired. I noticed no prior 

 antics, but, immediately after coition, one of the 

 two — I am not quick enough with the glasses to 

 say which — runs a little way over the sand, and 

 commences to roll. In a moment or two, the other 

 runs up, looking most interested, and, on the first 

 one's rising and standing aside, immediately sits 

 along, in the exact spot where it was, and in the 

 same sort of attitude, though without rolling. 

 Then this bird rises also, and both stand looking at 

 the place where they have just lain, and making 

 little pecks at it — or just beside it — with their bills. 

 One of the two then walks a little away, so that I 

 lose her, whilst the other one, on which I keep the 

 glasses, and which I now feel sure is the male, rolls, 

 again, in the same place, and in the most marked 

 manner. Then, rising, he runs, for some way, with 

 very short precise little steps, which have a peculiar 

 character about them. His whole pose and attitude 

 is, also, peculiar. The head and beak are pointed 



