1918 J Hawkins, Sexual Selection and Bird Song. 429 



furnish the necessary excitation to make productive the season 

 that was at hand for the reproduction of their race. There is no 

 other explanation that can be given for birds already mated, 

 unless it be that of the overflow of superabundant energy and this 

 is too superficial an explanation for the deep laid plans of mother 

 nature. Were this the only cause for the songs and antics of birds 

 the mere overflow of nature might never terminate in anything or 

 it might lead to unregulated abuse. But nature protects and 

 regulates her ways by safety valves, of which the reluctance of the 

 female is one, and this must be overcome before the reproductive 

 process can become effective. 



This view seems to be strengthened by the fact that the display 

 of song and antics is used by polygamous birds and animals as 

 well as by those which mate for the season or for life. The rooster 

 with his harem about the barnyard is just as vigorous in his per- 

 formances as the bird which is devoted to his single mate. The 

 doe in her breeding time calls to the buck who rushes to her side, 

 then she, " half in coyness, half in mischief, takes to flight at his 

 eager approach, makes towards an open space, and runs in a 

 circle. The buck naturally follows, and the chase grows hot and 

 exciting as a race of horses on a track. To the frequent high calls 

 of the fleeing doe are added the deep, short cries of the panting 

 buck; but suddenly the roguish doe disappears like a nymph into 

 the thicket near at hand, and the baffled buck stands with head 

 erect and ears thrown forward ; then we see his head lowered as he 

 catches the scent, and he too vanishes in the wood." But this 

 deer is a polygamist and his antics cannot be for the purpose of 

 mating. 



Watch the finch as he dances about his mate, fairly losing him- 

 self in a frenzy of ecstasy, flashing his w T ings in a wild delight and 

 prancing about and chattering, the antics of the noisy street 

 sparrow, the prancing and cooing of the pigeons, and there is only 

 one evident conclusion. It is not for the purpose of mating but 

 the more immediate purpose of hastening the female to fulfill her 

 natural function. There are times when two or more males are 

 involved in these antics, in which case there must be at least an 

 unconscious choice on the part of the female, or a battle royal 

 w T hich will drive the competing males away, but in the vast majority 



