ir>0 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



but slightly from the note of alarm or anger. Perched upon 

 a rotten limb, in an open and exposed locality, the familiar 

 note is uttered, which reverberates through the forest for an 

 immense distance. After the expiration of a suitable time, 

 the note is reiterated, and, if no reply is forthcoming, the 

 male deserts his conspicuous eminence for another in the far 

 distance, where he repeats the identical notes and movements : 

 even changing his position for another, until the summons is 

 answered by one or more females. At this juncture, when a 

 reply is heard, he makes short and rapid flights from tree to 

 tree, in the direction of the returning sound, ever and anon 

 halting to resume his call and to await a response, when 

 his movements are renewed, with occasional pauses, until he 

 meets the object of his search. 



Instead of approaching instantly, he maintains a modest 

 reserve, surveys his intended partner with a jealous, anxious 

 look, from a near standpoint, and, after reading approval in 

 her eyes, ventures nearer, occasionally pausing to utter a 

 love-note, and to show off his gaudy colors and graceful 

 movements. At the moment he fancies that he has gained 

 her affection, a short flight brings him by her side, when the 

 apparently timid and fickle creature, deserts his presence, 

 and moves to an adjoining branch or tree, leaving him in the 

 attitude of perplexity and amaze. Nothing daunted, he re- 

 news the attempt, to be similarly treated. At length, tired 

 of such flirtations, the female accepts the proffered love, and 

 the happy pair, after a brief time spent in celebration of the 

 great event, set about to find a suitable place for a nest. 



It often happens that a pair of males, and also of females, 

 meet in the same tree. The movements are now more varied 

 and interesting. The female of the one pair will often lav- 

 ish her attentions upon the opposite male, much to the jeal- 

 ousy of her plighted lover, and vice versa . Such an un-look- 

 cd-for condition of affairs is sure to bring the males in open 

 conflict with each other, which often results in one or the 

 other being driven from the tree. In frequent instances, 



