268 BEACH GRASS 



and wave their bills as if they were whetting these 

 powerful instruments, or as if they were perform- 

 ing the polite preliminaries of a fencing bout. 

 From time to time this process is interrupted as 

 they bow to each other, and appear to caress each 

 other as each dips its pale blue bill and cream- 

 colored head first to one side and then to the 

 other of its mate's snowy breast. With unbated 

 enthusiasm and ardor, the various actions of this 

 curious and loving dance are repeated again and 

 again and often continue for several minutes. 

 After the dance the pair preen themselves and 

 each other, or the one first at the nest flies away 

 and the new arrival waddles around so as to get 

 back of the nestling, and the strange process of 

 feeding takes place. 



This dance is not only performed by pairs as 

 just described, but not infrequently individuals 

 perform a pas seul, it may be because he or she 

 is wearied with waiting for its mate. The wings 

 are slightly raised and opened, the tail elevated 

 and spread, the bill pointed vertically upwards 

 and waved aloft, then dipped to one side under 

 the half open wing and then to the other, the bill 



