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 behed 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 wiU take to 

 flight, darting off and twisting like a snipe, evidently enjojang 

 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 



55 



