THE PRAIRIE HEN 235 



on this morning not one female was present, and I find that 

 Dr. Anderson ("Birds of Iowa") also states that he has 

 never seen females on these occasions. Probably we may 

 regard these exhibitions as the uncontrollable manifesta- 

 tions of that physical energy which in animals reaches its 

 extreme development during the mating season. 



If the female should chance to be a witness of the per- 

 formance, it may serve to arouse her sexual ardor, but it is 

 evident that her presence is not necessary to stimulate the 

 male to his extraordinary vocal, acrobatic, and war-like 

 exertions. 



It is worthy of note that although the Prairie Cock when 

 in the lists is a strikingly conspicuous creature, he wears no 

 adornment which cannot be concealed at a moment 's notice. 

 The sight of a passing Hawk changes the grotesque, be- 

 plumed, be-oranged bird into an almost invisible squatting 

 brownish lump, so quickly can the feathers be dropped and 

 air sack deflated. With woodland birds so great a change is 

 unnecessary, but the Prairie Hen can hide only under its 

 own feathers. 



With the echoing boom of the Prairie Hen's drum, I can 

 still hear the fluting of the Western Meadowlark, which 

 perched on my blind, and, with almost deafening effect, 

 sang repeatedly, at about six inches from my ear. 



