Music and Dancing in Nature. 269 
the wings up vertically and motionless; others, 
half open and vibrating rapidly, while still others 
wave them up and down with a slow, measured 
motion. 
In the ypecaha and jacana displays both sexes 
take part. A stranger performance is that of the 
spur-winged lapwing of the same region—a species 
resembling the lapwing of Europe, but a third 
larger, brighter coloured, and armed with spurs. 
The lapwing display, called by the natives its 
“‘ dance,” or ‘‘ serious dance ’’—by which they mean 
square dance—requires three birds for its per- 
formance, and is, so far as I know, unique in this 
respect. The birds are so fond of it that they 
indulge in it all the year round, and at frequent 
intervals during the day, also on moonlight nights. 
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, leaving his own mate to guard their chosen 
eround; and instead of resenting this visit as an 
unwarranted intrusion on their domain, as they 
would certainly resent the approach of almost any 
other bird, they welcome it with notes and signs of 
pleasure. Advancing to the visitor, they place 
themselves behind it; then all three, keeping step, 
begin a rapid march, uttering resonant drumming 
notes in time with their movements ; the notes of the 
pair behind being emitted in a stream, like a drum- 
roll, while the leader utters loud single notes at 
regular intervals. The march ceases; the leader 
elevates his wings and stands erect and motionless, 
still uttering loud notes ; while the other two, with 
