SPUR-WING LAPWING i8i 



display has no connection with the sexual feelings 

 for it is indulged in all the year rounds at all hours 

 of the day, and also during moonlight nights. It is 

 simply the bird's manner of expressing its joyous 

 spirits ; for most living creatures — ^birds especially 

 — ^have more or less well-defined methods of playing ; 

 and play-day with the Teru is every day, and at 

 brief intervals. And yet the grave, pompous air of 

 the birds, and the military precision of their move- 

 ments, might easily lead an observer to attribute 

 these displays to some more important motive. Play 

 is not only indulged in with neighbours ; there are 

 many solitary Terus continually wandering about 

 from place to place — ^probably young birds not yet 

 settled in life — ^and when one of these vagrants passes 

 near a pair he is immediately invited to join them, 

 and when he alights all go through the performance 

 together with great zest. In this case, however, as 

 soon as it is over, the strange bird is attacked with 

 great spirit and chased away ; and if by chance he 

 comes down again near them, they hasten to drive 

 him up with increased fury. He is wanted only for 

 five or six minutes and must not outstay his welcome. 

 While watching their antics, which the gauchos 

 call the Teru's quadrilles, a curious subject of 

 enquiry suggested itself to my mind. It appeared 

 to me that its manner of playing has had a reflex 

 effect strong enough to mark the bird's whole charac- 

 ter — slanguage, bearing, and habits being coloured by 

 it, and even the domestic relations interfered with. 

 And with regard to the latter point, though it is the 



