CHAPTER VII 



PRE-COPTJLATORY DISPLAYS 



BEFORE copulation, the male commonly makes 

 some display; such are often called the dis- 

 plays of courtship, implying an association 

 with mating ; but as many animals mate only 

 once in a lifetime or in a season, whilst these 

 displays are made before each copulation, they 

 are better described by being called Pre- 

 copulatory Displays. A study of them shows 

 that they undoubtedly render the male con- 

 spicuous and purposely so. All the methods 

 mentioned in Chapters II and III are em- 

 ployed : movements are made, forms assumed, 

 attitudes struck, sounds produced, scents 

 secreted and vivid colours are laid bare, 

 all of which make the male conspicuous in 

 Nature. The female, during this display of 

 the male, remains silent and motionless, and 

 usually more or less concealed. 



Here, then, is material to which the Theory 

 can be applied : Two individuals, male and 



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