M 



MARCH 



ARCH is true to its derivation in bird-world ; 

 it is a month of fighting. 



When you look over a hedge in early 

 March, and see three missel-thrushes tacking about 

 as if they were quite unconscious of each other's 

 presence, it may be concluded that two of them 

 are lusty swains about to take their coats off to 

 dispute the possession of the indivisible fair. The 

 courting of the missel is very human. When two 

 birds espy one another at some distance in the field, 

 they both start aside and strike an attitude of 

 attention. This manoeuvre may be repeated fifty 

 times ere the birds come within speaking distance, 

 so to say. Then the hen turns tail and hops 

 deliberately away from the cock in the " first-she- 

 would-and-then-she-wouldn't " manner. Having 

 done this, she stands, with neck craned up, apparently 

 looking ahead into the empty field ; but when the 

 cock again starts aside and renews his antics, it is 

 seen that she was following him with a backward 

 glance, for she immediately responds by imitating 

 his action. 



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