The Heath Hen 



253 



for frequently they seemed to precede the somewhat pacific duels described 

 above. The effect of these sounds, together with the 'tooting' calls in the mists 

 which so often obtain in their habitat before sunrise, is weird in the extreme. At 

 4:15 A. M. on May 2, these sounds were practically continuous, without appreci- 

 able interval, apparently from all directions. At 4:45 a. m. six birds could be 

 counted, all in sight at once. They appeared to resort to a particular clear space 

 of about two acres in extent, where the antics just described were carried on. All 

 the birds, except one, were observed to have the orange-colored air-sacs. These 



THE FIRST NEST OF THE HEATH HEN TO BE DESCRIBED 



AND PHOTOGRAPHED 



Photographed by George W. Field, June 2, 1906 



were probably cocks. We saw only one bird which we suspected might be a hen. 

 The other hens were probably nesting, or at least had secured mates, and no 

 longer resorted to the promenading place. As the sun rose high the 'tooting' 

 became less frequent; the birds became more restless, often flying to the neigh- 

 boring low oaks, nesting there until disturbed. The flight reminds one of that 

 characteristic of the Carrion Crow or Black Vulture of the south {Catharista 

 urubu),—Si succession of four to ten strong, rapid wing-beats, followed by a sail 

 of one hundred to two hundred yards on set wings; this is repeated until the bird 

 again alights or passes beyond the range of vision. The line of flight is usually 

 a straight line, twenty to twenty-five feet above the ground. Of our native birds, 

 the manner of flight most resembles our Meadowlark. 



