1 66 IN BIRD LAND. 



There are some diminutive hummers, called Mexi- 

 can stars, which become perfect furies when their 

 jealousy is aroused. Their throats swell ; their crests, 

 wings, and tails expand ; and they clinch and spear 

 each other in the air like the veriest disciples of 

 Bellona. Thus a giant passion may dwell in a 

 pygmy form. 



It will be pleasant to turn to more gentle ways of 

 pressing a love-suit. The manners of some males 

 are very courtly while trying to win a spouse. They 

 strut about most gracefully, and display their plumes 

 to the best advantage, as if they would charm the 

 coy damsel of their choice. The dainty kinglets 

 erect and expand their crest feathers so that the 

 golden or ruby spot spreads over the entire crown, 

 making them look handsome indeed. 



It has never been my good fortune to witness the 

 wooing of the ruffed grouse, miscalled the partridge 

 in New England and the pheasant in the Middle 

 States ; but Mr. Langille has seen the performance, 

 and with good reason goes into raptures over it. 

 He describes it in this way : " Behold the male 

 strutting before the female in time of courtship ! 

 The first time I saw him in this act I was utterly 

 at a loss to identify him. The ruff about the neck 

 is perfectly erect, so that the head is almost dis- 

 guised ; the wings are partially opened and drooped 

 gracefully ; the feathers are generally elevated ; the 

 tail, with its rich, black band, is spread to the ut- 

 most and thrown forward. Thus he stands, nearly 

 motionless, a genuine object of beauty." 



