62 DISPOSITION TO SECURE A TERRITORY 



more than one can be watched at the same 

 moment ; moreover the area occupied by each 

 male generally embraces an open piece of 

 water as well as part of the fringe of reeds, 

 so that the movements of the bird can be 

 followed without much difficulty. Under favour- 

 able conditions manifestations of the developing 

 situation become visible at a comparatively 

 early date in the season — the middle or the 

 latter part of February — and these manifes- 

 tations resemble those of other species. But 

 the Moor-Hen passes summer and winter alike 

 in the same situation, and being therefore in 

 a position to respond at once to internal stimu- 

 lation, however vague, the change from the one 

 state to the other is gradual. This, however, 

 is a matter of detail ; the main consideration 

 lies in the fact that the impulse to retire to 

 a definite position, to avoid companions, and 

 to live in seclusion, is strongly marked, and 

 produces a type of behaviour similar on the 

 whole to that of the Lapwing. First of all 

 there is the appropriation of a certain position, 

 the limits of which are fixed according to the 

 law of habit formation, and according to the 

 pressure exerted by neighbouring individuals ; 

 then there is the neutral ground over which 

 the birds wander amicably in search of food ; 

 and finally there is the contrast between the 

 pugnacity of the male whilst in its territory, 

 and its comparative friendliness when upon 

 neutral ground. 



Evidence of similar behaviour is to be found 



