212 Life and Immortality. 
feeling, in the early morning and evening hours, they may 
be seen exercising themselves by means of “ curious spiral 
gyrations” in mid-air, and uttering, as earthwards they 
descend, a note which has been likened to the word wank. 
This note may be a call to the female in the spring, but as it 
is often uttered in the fall after the breeding-season is past, 
it may also be a summons for the gathering together of the 
members of the same household. The production of these 
sounds seems a labor of very great effort. But the movements 
of the males at these times must be seen to be appreciated. 
The head and bill are bent forward until the latter comes 
into contact with the ground, and, just as the sound is being 
emitted, the body is urged violently forward. These spas- 
modic exertions having ceased, the actor in this drama 
twitches his abbreviated, half-spread tail, assumes an erect 
attitude of listening, and, if no response is elicited, repeats his 
characteristic cry with all its accompanying movements. If 
the call awakes an answering note, the happy lover flies to 
the presence of the one he seeks and lavishes upon her the 
most endearing caresses. Sometimes, as Audubon affirms, 
the male awaits the arrival of the dear one, and does not fly 
to meet her. The summons, according to the same eminent 
authority, seem sometimes to be replied to by one of the 
same sex, which is always the prelude to a fierce encounter 
between the two, for, on such occasions, when the feelings 
are in a high state of tension, the most intense enmity exists 
between the males. But these contentions are ordinarily 
short-lived, and cease with the assumption of matrimonial 
relations. 
The happiness of the male is now complete. With his 
homely but prepossessing bride by his side, he soon journeys 
off in search of a home. This is a matter of great conse- 
quence, and tasks the patience to the utmost. But their 
labors are eventually crowned with success. The most 
secluded resorts are visited, and in some low, dense and 
swampy woods or brake, difficult of access, and one that 
