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Mr. C. William Beebe,



delight and appreciation of his own beauties. The Germans, in

their finely discriminating language, express the delicate shade

of meaning in these acts by voriibung and ausiibung. Even in

birds which pair for life, I have noticed a coquetry and pretended

courtship, spring after spring.


One more interesting fact about courtship among birds—

another indication, perhaps, of their individuality—is that it is

not always the most highly decorated suitor, nor the one

victorious in combat, who wins the female for whom he is putting

forth his utmost efforts. I have seen a peahen show a very

decided preference for, and ultimately pair off with, a young bird

who had but small display, and was almost spurless. An

amusing instance also noticed in the Park was that of some

Mallard Ducks. Three drakes vied with each other for the

favour of a little brown duck. One of the drakes seemed to put

but faint hope in his splutterings and bowings, and little wonder,

for his tail feathers and the showy curl, one of the decorations

of his sex, had been shot away, and shot-scars had spoiled the

symmetry of other parts of his plumage. The other two were

large and beautiful birds, bred in the Park. The iridescent

emerald of their heads and necks, and their immaculate shining

collars, made them incomparably more conspicuous than the

smaller wild bird. Nevertheless, all their efforts were in vain,

while the occasional pitiful attempts of the handicapped suitor

to spread an imaginary tail and declare his everlasting devotion

prevailed. He was accepted, and the pair were inseparable

until the nest was finished and the duck began sitting on her

eleven eggs.


Turning from the birds in the collection to our wild native

birds which make the Park their home, or pay it frequent visits,

we find much of interest in their changed habits and dispositions.

The sight of so many birds flying unharmed in the flying cages

or walking about their ranges or swimming on the various

ponds undisturbed, although in close proximity to man, is

fraught with significance to the quick perceptions of wild birds,

large and small. Their keen perceptions and superior powers of

intelligence tell them that such unwonted altruistic conditions

must offer advantages.



