58 ANNALS OF BIRD LIFE. 



to charm and attract the opposite sex ; and to- 

 this process of sexual selection, and to this rivalry, 

 must be ascribed a very considerable amount of 

 the beauty and the singularity in the dermal 

 covering and appendages of birds, and probably 

 of all the melody they utter. There is much 

 evidence to show that female birds appreciate 

 brilliancy, and variety of colour, and musical at- 

 tainments in the opposite sex, and also evince no 

 small amount of caprice and fastidiousness in the 

 choice of a mate. 



We will now pass on to the second division of 

 our subject, and glance at a few of the curious 

 tournaments which many birds indulge in during 

 the season of courtship. These pitched battles 

 are most frequent and most deliberate among the 

 Gallinaceous family of birds species which are 

 armed with special weapons of offence. One of 

 the most interesting tournaments of this descrip- 

 tion to be seen in this country is in the haunts of 

 the Blackcock. The observer must visit their 

 pairing - grounds at dawn, and conceal himself 

 amongst the surrounding vegetation. These are 

 recognised meeting-places in the open parts of the 

 woods which all the birds in the vicinity frequent 

 to carry on their singular courtship. Soon the 

 cock - birds will make their appearance, and go 

 through a series of strange antics before the 

 females. Battle after battle is fought and won, the 

 rival males keeping up the contest until all the 

 victorious ones have paired. So fiercely are these 



