

VANELLUS CAYENNENSIS. 107 



would imagine, to drive every winged creature awuy and obliterate all 

 marks of home. Again, the powerful flight of this species would enable 

 it to take long journeys, and, if unaffected by atmospheric changes, 

 scarcity of food and water might be a temptation to seek new regions. 

 But through all vicissitudes the Teru-teru clings to its chosen spot of 

 ground. 



In defence of its territory it wages perpetual war against most living 

 creatures, the objects of its special abhorrence being men, dogs, rheas, 

 and birds of prey generally. Its noisy cry and irascible temper are 

 spoken of by most travellers and naturalists ; for no person riding 

 across the pampas could possibly overlook the bird, with its screaming 

 protests against all trespassers perpetually ringing in his ears ; but they 

 have all omitted to mention the singular habit which this bird has of 

 associating in sets of three for the purpose of amusement or play. 

 Each couple, as I have said, live always together on their own pretty- 

 well-defined plot of ground, which they jealously guard from intrusion. 

 Yet if one watches a pair of them for a while he presently sees 

 another one of a neighbouring couple rise up and fly to them, 

 leaving his own mate to take care of home ; and, instead of resenting 

 this visit as an intrusion, they welcome it with notes and signs of 

 manifest pleasure. Advancing to the visitor, they place themselves 

 behind it, and then all three, keeping step, begin a rapid march, 

 uttering loud drumming and rhythmical notes in time with their 

 movements, the notes of the birds behind coming in a rapid stream, 

 while the leading bird utters loud single notes at regular intervals. 

 The march ceases, the leader stretches out his wings, still emitting loud 

 notes, while the other two, with puffed-out plumage, standing exactly 

 abreast, stoop forward until the tips of their beaks touch the ground, 

 and, sinking their voices to a murmur, remain for some time in 

 this singular posture. The performance is then over; the birds all 

 resume their natural attitudes, and the visitor takes his leave. It is 

 quite certain that this display has no connection with the sexual 

 feeling, for it is indulged in all the year round, at all hours of the day, 

 and also during moonlight nights. It is simply the bird's manner of 

 expressing its joyous spirits; for most living creatures birds espe- 

 cially have more or less well-defined methods of playing; and playday 

 with the Teru is every day, and at very brief intervals. And yet 

 the grave pompous air of the birds, and the military precision of their 

 movements, might easily lead an observer to attribute these displays to 

 some more important motive. Play is not only indulged in with 

 neighbours ; there are many solitary Terus continually wandering 

 about from place to place probably young birds not yet settled in 



