70 THE STORY OF THE BIRDS, 
little chickens in the barnyard are a matter of every- 
day observation in summer. 
This latter is almost invariably a mock fight ; and 
in this many antics of all creatures—man not excepted 
—have their origin. Mock chases and retreats are 
the basis of many sports, and an especial charming 
factor found running all through Nature is that tan- 
talizing “ you-can’t-catch-me” kind of daring that 
little girls exhibit and big girls recover from with 
effort. 
But among cranes, plover forms and their rela- 
tions, and among owls and many others, there seems 
to be a distinct exhibition of the merely grotesque or 
clownishness of motion—a struggle at the purely 
awkward for its own sake, as if the bird were trying 
to provoke a laugh. This often occurs after the pair 
are mated, and the females join in heartily. 
Other antics evidently have distinct reference to 
the tender state only, especially those among the 
grouses, bustards, etc. These often have regular 
meeting places, or some old male will trumpet forth 
that the occasion has arrived when these affairs must 
be settled, and all come at his call. Then they assem- 
ble, and pairing is preceded by the most formal 
waltzes, minuets, and general “walk arounds,” in 
which both sexes take part. There comes in much 
strutting, swelling, booming, and cackling on the part 
of the males, throwing defiance at each other till, like 
other “ cake walks” and “hoe downs,” the whole ends 
in a many-cornered fight among the gallants. In the 
attempt to present a large appearance, we can readily 
