THK S \VII-T 



mates, and leave them no pence till they are back on their 

 < i:-^ When this task hits been satisfactorily achieved, the cocks 

 themselves, now free from domestic cares, join in a jovial band, and 

 fly screaming upwards. At a certain height they slow their move- 

 menu and soar on quivering wings in large ascending circles. Up 

 and up they go, mere specks in the darkening sky, till at last they 

 vanish wholly. There, between heaven and earth, they pass the ni^ht, 

 floating asleep about the upper airs on widespread tranquil wings. 



Such at least is the explanation given of these strange night-flights, 

 for the birds, once last to view, have not been seen to return the same 

 evening to their nests. On one occasion, at least, they were seen to 

 rise but not disappear ; at a certain altitude they seemed " to limit 

 themselves more and more to a restricted area, until eventually they 

 merely floated in company upon the wing not in the so-called night- 

 flight, but in their 'aerial sleep." On the other hand, there is no 

 trustworthy evidence that any one has yet Men their descent in the 

 morning. This is a sight that awaits perhaps some fortunate ornitho- 

 logist, who will thus be able to convert assumption into certainty. 



These curious flights take place usually on fine night*, but occa- 

 sionally in any weather. 2 The birds have been seen to ascend some 

 distance, and then retuni, not finding the air to their liking. 8 Small 

 colonies seem to fly away to some central spot and thence ascend, but 

 here more evidence is needed. 4 



When not away, the cocks roost in the nest-holes. They may also 

 deep clinging to branches or buildings. That the species is in the 

 habit of doing this is evidenced by the fact that one was seen clinging 

 to a pendant branch in a tree twenty feet above the ground. It hung 

 there " suspended vertically, swaying like a scarecrow to and fro in 

 the breeze, and evidently settled for the night." During cold night* 



1 Zooloffist, 1900, 479 (Steele Elliot). ' Field, 1880, Ixxiii. 801 (Aubrey Edward*). 



Field, 1808, xcii. 182 (Aubrey Edwards). 



For the evidence as to night-flights see Field, 1880, Ixxiii. O.V1 (Win-hell), 088 (D. Brodle), 

 801 (Aubrey Edwards); Ibid,, 1808, xcii. 182; Ibid., 1800. xciii. 001 (WitchHI) ; \\itchell, A'a/urr. 

 .Story of the Year (Aubrey Edwards) ; Nature Sole*, 1801. 01 2 ; Zoolouul, 1000, 470 (Steele Klli.-i 



A'afurr. 1807. 208 ; Zoologist, 1807. M8. 



