CHAPTER IV] 



DANCERS 



. . . And round and round 



The plovers wheel, and give their note of joy. 



— Southey. 



IN no way do birds show their human qualities 

 more than by their love and perfection in the 

 terpsichorean art. They are very similar to human 

 beings in this desire. Some like dancing because 

 it enables them to display their gaudy feathers and 

 beautiful and graceful forms; others consider that 

 it is an exceptionally attractive social grace; while 

 still another group, with a subtler intelligence, are 

 enabled to express in their dancing the joy of life 

 and its conflicting emotions. 



Victory, defeat, beauty of scenery, and favour- 

 able climatic conditions for hunting are some of 

 the occasions for a dance. The birds are like the 

 American Indian, who introduces dancing at every 

 possible occasion. The fact that the female bird is 

 rarely allowed to join in may be explained by say- 

 ing that most often the male is endeavouring to 



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