iq6 



ANIMAL LIFE 



fierce competition which the male birds have to engage 

 in before they can claim their mate, or even advance 

 their suit with success. 



Among fish the test by battle is, so far as we know, 

 less common ; but in such cases it seems probable that 

 either we are not sufficiently familiar with these 



Fig. 34. — Black Cock showing off his attractions before the Grey Hen. 

 {From specimens in the Manchester Museum.) 



creatures to detect the withdrawn and passionate 

 episodes of their lives, or we find reason for believing 

 that another test, not less rigorous, is interposed. 

 Lhere are, however, certain cases amongst fish where 

 a display similar to that of cock birds is executed by 

 the male fish before the females. The dragonet 

 affords a good example. In this common but 



