Even the black, forbidding raven has his amorous moods. 
And at such times he will even outdo the more lively, though 
irascible lapwing in the art of aerial somersaults ; if somersaults 
they can be called. For in the middle of an ordinary spell of 
flying he will suddenly fold up his wings and bring them close up 
to the body, at the same time turning completely round, as though 
he were turned on a spit ; the body being held horizontal as the 
turn is made. For a moment or two there he is suspended, as it 
were, between earth and sky, with his back towards earth, and his 
breast towards the heavens. Lest he should forget the manner of 
the trick, it would seem, he will practice it at times, during the 
stern work of chasing intruders from his territory ; for he will 
brook no competitors on his ground. 
The woodpigeon, during the courtship season, makes frequent 
sallies into the air for the purpose, apparently, of giving vent 
to his exuberant feelings. During such flights he will dart up 
from the tree-tops and sail round, high above, in great circles, 
rising and falling as he goes, with outspread wings, every now and 
then bringing them over his back with a resounding snap. During — 
such displays the white bar across the wing is most conspicuous, 
serving at once to identify the performer. 
Among our native birds, the only other species which 
habitually, and especially during the courting season, produce 
characteristic sounds during flight, by bringing the wings smartly 
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