THE BIRDS 271 



"The premonitory symptoms observable when the bustard is 

 about to exhibit himself in the pride of lust : : : . is a slight 

 swelling of the infra-mandibular portion of the throat, while the 

 head is thrown upwards. Immediately afterwards the neck swells, 

 and the feathers of the lower parts concomitantly bulge out and 

 descend gradually downward in the form of a bag, oftentimes 

 nearly reaching the ground. If the paroxysm is a strong one, 

 then the tail is shot upwards and forwards over the back, the 

 rectrices (tail-feathers) coming almost in contact with the neck. 



" In this particular attitude, with bloated neck, hanging 

 baggy chest, elevated tail, and stiff, stilt-like legs, the creature 

 struts about in a somewhat waddling manner, the elongated pouch 

 swaying to and fro. The feathers of the throat start out on end ; 

 those of the depending sac are also raised, but less upright* 



" The acme of inspiratory effort and strange attitude attained, 

 the bustard begins to snap the mandibles together in a loud manner, 

 and utter a series of cooing sounds for a short interval of time/ 1 



No less remarkable is the display of the frigate-bird, described 

 by Dr. C. W. Andrews. " About the beginning of January the 

 adult males begin to acquire a remarkable pouch of scarlet skin 

 beneath their throats. This they can inflate till it is nearly as large 

 as the rest of the body, and a dozen or more of these birds sitting 

 on a tree with outstretched drooping wings and this great scarlet 

 bladder under their heads are a most remarkable sight. When 

 a hen bird approaches the tree the males utter a peculiar cry, a 

 sort of wow-wow-wow-wow, and clatter their beaks like castanets, 

 at the same time shaking the wings." 



Some birds in the mating season hold regular contests in danc- 

 ing, or tournaments, to show their prowess, the hen birds standing 

 aloof, yet watching the display from a distance; The ruffs, the 

 male birds of a species of sandpiper (Pavoncella), are noted for their 

 pugnacious behaviour during the mating period. They are adorned 

 at this time with a great ruff of feathers round the neck, and two 

 long tufts of feathers on the head, called the " ears." When 

 engaging in combat the ruffs are erected and stand out like great 

 frills round the necks of the birds, who conduct their fights with a 

 curious display of ceremony. Two rival birds stand facing each 

 other with ruffs extended, and heads bent down so that the tip 

 of the beak rests upon the ground. For a short time they remain 



