THE PLAY OF ANIMALS. 257 / 



2. Courtship by means of the Arts of Movement. 



Beginning with mammals, some of the examples 

 cited of fighting dogs belong here as properly. The 

 amorous dog, too, in contrast to the feline tribe, which 

 does not seem to have any special courtship movements, 

 indulges in what might almost be called a dance. The 

 motions are like those with which he approaches an 

 enemy, especially the stift'-legged gait, the rigid tail, 

 and the erect carriage of his head. The fact that a 

 vain dog will behave in the same way when allowed to 

 carry a cane proves the consciousness of self-exhibi- 

 tion.* 



The stone marten proudly lifts his head at the ap- 

 proach of a female, his tail is curved, the limbs stiffened, 

 the hair rises on his back, and his whole aspect suggests 

 the utmost vigour. \ 



The fish otter tumbles and splashes around his 

 chosen one in an extraordinary manner, during which 

 performance his eel-like tail is in constant motion and 

 the sinuous body is as often above as beneath the sur- 

 face of the water. | The buck delights to follow a doe 

 about until their breeding time in July or August, and, 

 according to Diezel, the same thing is repeated in No- 

 vember, but this time without result.** The following 

 interesting description of the action of some antelopes 

 is by Schweinfurth: "About five hundred paces from 

 the road we saw a group of sporting antelopes. Their 

 manner of playing suggested a marching procession 



* I have noticed, too, that at such times a fox terrier whirls 

 around with rapid springs. 



+ Mttller, Thiere der Heimath, i, p. 368. 



X Ibid., p. 380, and Wohnungen, Leben und Eigenthumlichkeit- 

 en in der hoheren Thierwelt, p. 204. 



* DiezePs Niederjagd, p. 143. 



