BIRDS 91 



In the formation of the antlers of the stag it is 

 probable that the fearsomeness played a more important 

 part than the improvement of them as weapons. It is 

 clear that the larger the antlers the more formidable the 

 animal looks. As weapons two sharp spikes on the 

 head would be more effective, as we see in certain deer 

 which have such spikes, and bring down every 

 opponent, even the most powerful sixteen -pointers. 



Now let us go a step further. Rival suitors are 

 driven away not only by an appearance of strength, but 

 by confidence of approach. Who has not seen many a 

 little dog frighten away a big cur by attacking boldly ? 

 Even a man is intimidated by the self-conscious bearing 

 of another. It will be found throughout the whole 

 animal world that a reckless onslaught intimidates an 

 opponent. 



A male that has stolen a female and shows by his 

 manner that it is not advisable to fight with him will 

 be avoided. He will show this by inflating himself, 

 uttering terrific cries and running about. Do we not 

 see this in the turkey-cock? Is it not clear to any 

 unprejudiced observer that his capering is a war-dance? 

 Do the red -skin braves perform their war-dance to 



not bite each other when they fight, such as the stag. My theory, on 

 the other hand, meets these cases as well. We might also regard as 

 means of frightening combative rivals the knobs on the face of the 

 wart-hog, the beards that give a savage appearance to the faces of 

 many apes, the two teeth that come through the upper lip of the boar, 

 and are useless in fighting because they bend downwards, the antler- 

 shaped tentacles of the stag-beetle, which can pinch much less than 

 the smaller tentacles of the female, and many other kinds of beetles' 

 tentacles; possibly also the chirp of the male cricket, and other 

 features. 



