Chap. XI ir. 



Laiv of Battle. 



361 



day at a particular spot, where the females propose to lay their 

 eggs. The fowlers discover these spots by the turf being 

 trampled somewhat bare. Here they fight very much like game- 

 cocks, seizing each other with thtir beaks and striking with 

 tiieir wings. The great ruff of feathers round the neck is then 

 erected, and accordhig to Col. Montagu " sweeps the ground as 

 " a shield to defend the more tender parts;" and this is the only 



