brief duration, associated with terrestrial combats and frantic 
prancings. 
The grouse pursues a different method. He strives to 
incite his mate to amorous moods by chasing her about. 
But she is “coy,” and will tolerate this for hours at a time, 
apparently intent on nothing more than seeking something 
interesting to eat, she seems to affect to be quite unaware of 
the presence of her importunate mate; though her behaviour 
is belied by the fact that she keeps up a continuous “ cheep- 
ing’ note, heard only at this time of the year. Every now 
and then he will vary his tactics by leaping up into the air 
and taking an upward flight of from twenty to thirty feet, 
crowing vociferously. On alighting he will commence his 
addresses again. Then, perhaps, she herself will take to 
flight, darting off and twisting like a snipe, evidently enjoying 
her tantalizing tactics. He follows in close pursuit, in the 
hope, doubtless, of satisfying his desires, when she shall come 
to rest. Here is a “ courtship”’ flight of longer duration, in 
which both sexes participate. 
The ‘‘ musical ride”’ of the snipe is of a much more 
imposing character: and in this, again, both sexes take a 
part. During this performance, which affords some thrilling 
moments to the bird-lover, the bird ascends to a great height, 
and then plunges earthwards in a terrific ‘‘ nose-dive” 
accompanied by a weird bleating noise, comparable to the 
IgI 
