PAIRING AND EARLY SONG 



EARLY in February there is a rapid increase in the number 

 of birds in song ; and at the same time they begin to pair 

 and settle down in their nesting-quarters. The traditional 

 date for the pairing of birds is St. Valentine's Day ; and this 

 is as accurate as any one day that could be named for a 

 process which extends over many weeks, and is largely 

 influenced by the openness or severity of the season. By 

 February 13 in a normal year separate pairs of birds begin 

 to be conspicuous in lanes and sheltered gardens and in the 

 open fields ; and this new feature in their distribution gives 

 a promise that the nesting season is at hand, though for six 

 weeks longer the wandering winter flocks of many species 

 are to be seen side by side with the newly mated couples. 

 Not all birds choose fresh mates every spring. Many of 

 the larger species, such as the birds of prey and the crow 

 tribe, apparently mate for life ; and for them the pairing 

 season merely means closer companionship and a more con- 

 stant attachment to their nesting-place, which in many cases is 

 also a permanent one. It is likely, though it is still unproved, 

 that mating for life is the general rule among small birds 

 also, though there are probably many exceptions. Cock and 

 hen birds of migratory species may meet again in their 



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