298 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



penultimate note, the performer throws himself sideways almost 

 on his back, instantly recovering himself with a flurry of wings. 

 The bird now scuds rapidly over the ground at a moderate 

 height, making a pronounced humming sound with the motion 

 of his sharply-driven pinions, and occasionally tilting himself 

 from side to side, much in the manner of a Snipe when flushed. 

 From this scudding and humming flight the bird may, and 

 frequently does, recommence the song, repeating the whole of 

 the previous performance with the exception of the owl-flight, 

 which appears to be confined to the initial movement. Such is 

 the common course of the spring or "nuptial" flight, but its 

 variations are infinite. 



Song. — The spring song of the Lapwing runs a more regular 

 and unvarying course than the accompanying flight, but, like all 

 bird-notes, its representation on paper is difficult. The following 

 phrasing is the result of several attempts and reconstructions : 

 " Whey-willuchooee-willuch-willuch — cooee " (the first syllable 

 long-drawn and hoarse of tone ; the second and third " willuch " 

 uttered rapidly and staccato ; then ensues a pause, during which 

 the previously described partial summersault is executed, fol- 

 lowed by the loud, clear, and musical final note). 



While the female takes part in the prolonged and intricate 

 manceuvrings so frequently gone through on the wing by winter 

 flocks, she does not indulge during the breeding season in either 

 song or song-flight proper. 



A constant and salient feature of the pairing season is the 

 aerial combat between two rival males. The two birds taking 

 part rise slowly and almost perpendicularly in the air for some 

 considerable height, their wings beating rapidly and legs slightly 

 dangling, one endeavouring to rise above the other. At intervals 

 the upper bird stoops suddenly on the lower, an attack usually 

 avoided by an agile turn of the wing ; but occasionally a 

 distinct and hollow clap is audible, indicating an exchange of 

 blows, dealt apparently with the wing. During the course of 

 the affair the song is repeatedly uttered, but with the omission 

 of the final notes. On at length parting company, both com- 

 batants break into the full song-flight, repeating it twice or 

 thrice ere re-settling in their respective stations. These en- 

 counters, while usually individually of short duration, are in- 



