COURTSHIP. Ill 



intervals, until he espied the bird on the ground, 

 when he made a slight circuit, and dropped close 

 by. Both birds then joined in a series of loud 

 rolling cries in quick succession. Suddenly the 

 new-comer, which appeared to be a male, wheeled 

 his back towards the female and made a low 

 bow, his head nearly touching the ground, and 

 ending by a quick leap into the air. Another 

 pirouette brought him facing his charmer, whom 

 he greeted with a still deeper bow, his wings 

 meanwhile hanging loosely by his side. She 

 replied by an answering bow and hop, and then 

 each tried to outdo the other in a series of 

 spasmodic hops and starts, mixed with a set of 

 comically grave and ceremonious bows. The 

 pair stood for some moments bowing right and 

 left, when their legs appeared to become envious 

 of the large share taken in the performance by 

 the neck, and then would ensue a series of skilled 

 hops and skips, which are more like the steps of a 

 burlesque minuet than anything else I can think 

 of. Frequently others join, and the dance keeps 

 up until all are exhausted." 



Perhaps one of the most curious of all these 

 instances of dancing is that of the Cayenne lap- 

 wing. 



"These birds, which are known in the pampas 

 by the name of teru-teru, generally live in pairs, 

 and have a curious habit of indulging frequently 

 in a kind of dance or march, which is described 

 by Mr W. H. Hudson. "This observer writes 

 that anyone watching a pair of these birds will 

 see an individual from another pair rise and fly 

 to them. Advancing to receive their visitor, the 



