2CO PEAIEIE AND FOREST. 



times a dozen may be observed engaged in the melee, each 

 fearlessly attacking Lis nearest neighbour, rising and striking 

 with the wings and feet, much after the manner of domestic 

 poultry, when feathers fly and severe and numerous 

 injuries are received, till the -weaker, finding their strength 

 inadequate to the trial, reluctantly retire, and some old 

 veteran alone remains, exhausted and war- stained, to make 

 selection of his future mate. Often have the birds been 

 found, after these contests, so exhausted that they were 

 scarcely able to rise off the ground or avoid the traveller's 

 feet. And well do the hawks know their enfeebled con- 

 dition after such tournaments, and are not slow to avail 

 themselves of the advantage, and pounce upon the un- 

 fortunate conquerors, who, but for their now exhausted 

 condition, resulting from their prowess, could easily have 

 avoided the relentless destroyer. 



As soon as the victor has made his choice, he retires. 

 The same scenes are again and again enacted till all are 

 mated. 



Like the turkey-cock and domestic pigeon, when making 

 love they ruffle their feathers, drop their wings and tail, and 

 strut about with more pomposity than ever did city beau. 



The nest, which is generally placed upon the top of a 

 hillock among the long grass, in shape is irregular, but on 

 examination it will be found carefully constructed of leaves 

 and interwoven grasses. The eggs are a trifle smaller than 

 those of the domestic fowl, and are of a dull yellowish 

 colour, much resembling those of the ruffed grouse. In 

 eighteen or nineteen days they are hatched, and the chicks 

 leave their nest immediately afterwards. From this period 



