222 WILD BIRDS 



the moment of moments, each moment of dunlin 

 flight is fine. Within three minutes we may see half 

 a dozen wholly different formations. Now the 

 dunlins are shaped as a spheroid. Next moment 

 they may tower up into something like the column 

 of dancing gnats. 



I have even seen them present a figure that 

 approaches that of a square. Then they are a long, 

 fluttering pennon again ! The opening out and 

 drawing in movements of the flock are unceasing. 

 If one moment the action is centripetal, the next 

 it may be centrifugal. 



All this figure cutting in the air is not the result 

 of a chance disturbance of the dunlins by somebody 

 intruding on their day haunt. They would go 

 through the same exercises though no foot ever 

 trod these beaches. When the flock is cutting and 

 glancing in the delicious morning sunshine, one is 

 tempted to think that pleasure in life and the 

 warmth of early spring are the motives. Yet I have 

 seen them thus lifted aloft in glorious action when 

 the morning is grey or dark. Moreover, the starlings' 

 exercise at eve, which reminds one of the dunlins, 

 has nothing to do with sun pleasure. I cannot 

 account for it. It is not sexual, nor is it sun motive. 

 If we suggest that the dunlins are practising to keep 

 up their flight efficiency, we are in danger of 

 " humanising " them. Whatever its meaning and re- 

 mote origin, I believe it has no relation to human drill. 



So far as I have watched it lately, the exercise of 

 dunlins is done in the morning, whereas that of the 



