108 BIEDS 



at each other with their wings, and striking blows which 

 could be heard several hundred yards off. There was no 

 biting or kicking, nothing but honest boxing with the 

 wings. Each round lasted perhaps a minute or more, 

 and in the intervals the two combatants strolled about in 

 the ring until time was up, when they went at it again. 

 I sat on my horse watching the fight for at least ten 

 minutes, at the end of which the ring broke up and the 

 birds dispersed. How long it had been going on before 

 my arrival on the scene I cannot say. Neither pugilist 

 showed any signs of temper during the combat, or 

 appeared to be at all damaged, and the whole proceedings 

 were characterized by the most decorous formality. 



H. C. I. 



May 28, 1904. 



NOTE. "H. C. I.'s" letter is of great interest. I 

 believe that his is the only example recorded of a species 

 other than the spur- wing plover (Vanellus cayennensis) 

 dancing in threes. The following is Mr. Hudson's 

 account of this distinguished plover's dance. A bird has 

 left its mate and joined another pair, who welcome it with 

 manifest courtesy and pleasure : 



" Advancing to the visitor, they place themselves behind 

 it, and then all three, keeping step, begin a rapid march, 

 uttering loud drumming and rhythmical notes in time with 

 their movements, the notes of the birds behind coming in a 

 rapid stream, while the leading bird utters loud single notes 

 at regular intervals. The march ceases, the leader stretches 

 out his wings, emitting loud notes, while the other two, with 

 puffed out plumage, standing exactly abreast stoop forward 

 until the tips of their beaks touch the ground, and, sinking 

 their voices to a murmur, remain for some time in this 

 singular posture. The performance is then over; the birds 

 all resume their natural attitudes, and the visitor takes his 

 leave." 



It reads like eighteenth century Bath ! Mr. Hudson 

 says that this strange entertainment has nothing to do 



