CHAPTER III 



THE DISPOSITION TO DEFEND THE TERRITORY 



In the previous chapter I endeavoured to show 

 that each male establishes a territory at the 

 commencement of the breeding season, and there 

 isolates itself from members of its own sex. 

 And further I gave my reasons for believing 

 that this particular mode of behaviour is deter- 

 mined by the inherited nature of the bird, and 

 that we are justified in speaking of it as "a 

 disposition to secure a territory " because we can 

 perceive its prospective value. But the act of 

 establishment is only one step towards "securing." 

 By itself it can achieve nothing ; for any number 

 of different individuals might fix upon the same 

 situation, and if there were nothing in the 

 inherited constitution of the bird to prevent 

 this happening, where would be the security, or 

 how could any benefit accrue to the species ? 



In withdrawing from its companions in the 

 spring, the male is breaking with the past, and 

 this action marks a definite change in its routine 

 of existence. But the change does not end in 

 attempted isolation ; it is carried farther and 

 extends to the innermost life and affects what, 



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