THE PLAY OF ANIMALS. 109 



the cloud, and at the same moment their voices became 

 muffled, and seemed to come from an immense distance. 

 The cloud continued emitting sharp flashes of lightning, 

 but the birds never reappeared, and after six or seven 

 minutes once more their notes sounded clear and loud 

 above the muttering thunder. I suppose they had 

 passed through the cloud into the clear atmosphere 

 above it, but I was extremely surprised at their fearless- 

 ness." The beautiful floating motions of birds of prey 

 are principally for reconnoitring, and are also connected 

 with courtship, but it may well be supposed that the 

 birds sometimes exercise their skill from pure pleasure 

 in the movement. Darwin tells us that the condor gives 

 a splendid exhibition, floating for half an hour with- 

 out a movement of the wings, describing great circles, 

 rising and falling in beautiful curves. 



What has been said with regard to the art of flying 

 applies also to the dancing of many birds, except that 

 I consider the connection with sexual instinct closer 

 in the latter case, where many of the movements are 

 highly specialized. Hudson, on the contrary, regards 

 the dances of birds as purely playful, originating in 

 cheerful spirits. Although I do not agree with him, I 

 must admit that the sexual explanation is impossible in 

 the case of one of his examples. He is speaking of the 

 spur-winged lapwing, that resembles the European lap- 

 wing, but is a third larger, more highly coloured, and 

 furnished with spurs on its wings. Three individuals 

 are required to perform their dance, which, according 

 to Hudson, is unique in this respect. " The birds are 

 so fond of it that they indulge in it all the year round 

 and at frequent intervals during the day, also on moon- 

 light nights. If a person watches any two birds for 

 some time — for they live in pairs — he will see another 



