THE BUNTINGS 179 



extent, those of the back, are displayed, as well as the wings and 

 handsome black throat 1 



Why does the male, in this curious ceremony, advance from right 

 to left ? As the left wing is extended forwards and inwards, so as 

 to cross the breast, whilst being, at the same time, lowered, it is 

 obvious that much, if not the whole, of the inferior pail of the 

 corresponding side and portion of the breast, presenting a fine, 

 white surface, must be concealed by it. The right wing, however, 

 being turned backwards, leaves these same parts, on the right side, 

 which is the one presented, exposed, so that the hen sees both this 

 and the expanded wing itself, which, independently of colouring 

 and here it makes a rich contrast is always an object of beauty. 

 An effective portion of the left wing would also be visible, the two 

 making a soft, trembling border and background to the beauties 

 of breast, side, and throat for it must not be forgotten that the 

 wings are in a state of vibration. Furthermore, the delicate, white 

 eye-stripe, piercing the night of the head-plumage like a ray of dawn, 

 is, by this sideway attitude, shown to advantage, whilst a profile view 

 of the black-tipped, orange-yellow bill is also obtained. Thus, all the 

 best points in the bird's handsome livery, that it is possible to show 

 at one and the same time, are so shown by this mode of approach. 

 And whilst the eye of the female is thus carefully pleased, her ear is, 

 at the same time, ravished by the sweet song of her swain. Even 

 the familiar call-notes are not forgotten by the male, and, as though 

 to give them full point and piquancy, the bond of association is, as 

 it were, added by his flying, to make them, into a tree. Can those 

 who seek to minimise the significance of such actions as these, by 

 telling us that plain birds also indulge in them, point to any homely, 



1 It is, in my view, a most significant fact that we have had to wait for the description of 

 this elaborate and strongly-marked courtship, till it was exhibited before Von Homeyer 

 by birds in captivity. How cautious should we be in assuming that any bird especially 

 a small bird has no or no striking courting actions ! Yearly, for a long time, in the 

 various appropriate organs, something or other has been reported about the Lapland 

 bunting, in its wild state but not this. The lesson is obvious. My "willow-" or "sallow- 

 bush," I should mention, is represented in the original account, by the perch of the birds' cage 

 or aviary. 



