LAPWINGS AND SNIPE 219 



Here is a curious instance of apparent waste 

 of energy. A pair of Magpies built their nest 

 in an ilex tree. Early one morning there was 

 a commotion in the tree, much flapping of 

 wings and a medley of sounds which told of 

 large birds engaged in a struggle — the Magpies 

 were attacking a pair of Wood-Pigeons. There 

 was no question as to the genuineness of the 

 struggle, nor any doubt as to the proximate end 

 for which the Magpies were striving, for their 

 efforts continued so long as the Wood-Pigeons 

 remained in the tree, and only ceased when they 

 had succeeded in driving them away. 



Turning next to species which are less 

 distantly related, we find that instances of 

 intolerance are more numerous and that a wider 

 range of species is involved. The hostility that 

 the Lapwing displays towards the Snipe calls 

 for special remark. It often happens that the 

 marshes or water meadows, that are such 

 favourite haunts of the Lapwing, are also 

 resorted to by Snipe for the purpose of securing 

 food, or it may be even for the purpose of 

 reproduction. In such places both species are 

 often abundant ; the meadow is divided up into 

 Lapwings' territories, and early in the season the 

 Snipe wander over it in small parties, singly, or 

 in pairs. Now, if it were only on isolated 

 occasions that the Lapwing paid heed to the 

 Snipe, one would not perhaps attach any 

 peculiar significance to the fact ; but the 

 pugnacious instinct of the bird responds to the 

 presence of this intruder almost as freely as it 



