ITS SONG. 223 



heard than the song itself, and has probably given 

 rise to the belief that the ' Spel' of the Solitary Snipe 

 resembles the kndppnmffctr, or first note of the Capercali. 

 Taken altogether, the chorus of these birds, which in 

 calm weather is audible at a distance of from 150 to 200 

 paces, forms a far from disagreeable symphony, especially 

 when heard during the hours of darkness. 



" At the conclusion of each of these songs there 

 always ensues a considerable pause, during which the 

 birds run to and fro ainongst the tussocks in chase of 

 each other, fighting, and making a great hubbub. They 

 arc not at all afraid ; and if the spectator remains perfectly 

 quiet, will occasionally come running close up to him ; 

 and even should he raise himself from the ground, they 

 will only retreat a short distance, and soon return again. 

 A shot, indeed, does not alarm them greatly. At length- 

 one of the company but I cannot take on myself to say 

 that it is always the same individual hops on to a tussock, 

 stretches himself and flaps his wings, and commences a 

 new song, in which all the rest immediately join. In this 

 way the ' Lek' is kept up until midnight, when all 

 remains hushed for a while ; but at early morn it com- 

 mences afresh, and continues until daylight. 



" It is a moot point," the Doctor goes on to say, 

 "whether or not both males and females take part in 

 these gatherings, but it is one not in my power to solve ; 

 for, owing to the ' Lek-stalle' in question being some ten 

 miles from my home, the opportunities I had of visiting 

 it were very few. It is remarkable, nevertheless, that the 

 seven birds I myself captured were all males. The matter 

 in dispute is a weighty one, in regard as well to the 

 natural history of the Solitary Snipe, as to the propriety 

 of killing or sparing it during the pairing season. If it 

 be polygamous, and that males alone are present at the 

 ' Lek,' one might, without injury, kill a few of them ; 



