THE COPULATORY ATTITUDES 771 
Sparrow (Passer domesticus) are worthy of 
mention. Whilst the successful male is per- 
forming the act, the pair are usually closely 
surrounded by a number of chattering males. 
If this company of birds be attacked, it is not 
likely that the female will be taken, but rather 
one of the many males. I have twice seen a 
Hawk take a Sparrow under these conditions, 
and on each occasion it was a male. These 
two observations of course prove nothing, 
but, at the same time, it appeared to me to be 
impossible for the hawk to chance to take the 
female; a chance greater than the relative 
number of males to females. 
So with certain insects, in which, during 
copulation, the pairs are surrounded by a 
host of males, these must protect the female, 
whether this be the aim of such a gathering 
or no. The above applies to many Diptera, 
the Bees (Apiarie), Termide, and others. 
Lastly, in bisexual or hermaphrodite animals, 
there is no difference in the relative position 
of the two individuals as would be expected 
according to the Theory, for they are of the 
same value. During copulation, they always 
make a symmetrical figure. 
Thus in conclusion it may, I think, be fairly 
stated that the position assumed by the pair 
