THE COPULATORY ATTITUDES 71 



Sparrow (Passer domesticus) are worthy of 

 mention. Whilst the successful male is per- 

 forming the act, the pair are usually closely 

 surrounded by a number of chattering males. 

 If this company of birds be attacked, it is not 

 likely that the female will be taken, but rather 

 one of the many males. I have twice seen a 

 Hawk take a Sparrow under these conditions, 

 and on each occasion it was a male. These 

 two observations of course prove nothing, 

 but, at the same time, it appeared to me to be 

 impossible for the hawk to chance to take the 

 female ; a chance greater than the relative 

 number of males to females. 



So with certain insects, in which, during 

 copulation, the pairs are surrounded by a 

 host of males, these must protect the female, 

 whether this be the aim of such a gathering 

 or no. The above applies to many Diptera, 

 the Bees (Apiarice), Termidae, and others. 



Lastly, in bisexual or hermaphrodite animals, 

 there is no difference in the relative position 

 of the two individuals as would be expected 

 according to the Theory, for they are of the 

 same value. During copulation, they always 

 make a symmetrical figure. 



Thus in conclusion it may, I think, be fairly 

 stated that the position assumed by the pair 



