ISOLATION OF THE MALE 59 



and at first collect in a small flock at one end 

 of the meadow. A male, here and there, can 

 then be seen to break away from the flock, and 

 to establish itself in a definite position upon the 

 unoccupied portion of the ground, where it 

 remains isolated from its companions. Others 

 do likewise until the greater part of the meadow 

 is divided into territories. Six of these terri- 

 tories I kept under observation for approximately 

 two months in the year 1915. The occupant 

 of the one marked No. 6 upon the 1915 plan 

 was a lame bird, a fortunate occurrence as it 

 enabled me to follow its movements with some 

 accuracy ; and though it maintained its position 

 for some weeks, it ultimately disappeared, as a 

 result, I believe, of the persistent attacks of 

 neighbouring males. The behaviour of the 

 males during the first fortnight or so after 

 they broke away from the flock was interesting. 

 Though they retired to their territories and 

 remained in them for the greater part of their 

 time, yet it was only by degrees that they 

 finally severed their connection with the flock, 

 for so long as a nucleus of a flock remained, 

 so long were they liable to desert their 

 territories temporarily and to rejoin their 

 companions. 



Lapwings, as is well known, collect in flocks 

 during the winter months, and these flocks, 

 which sometimes reach vast proportions, are 

 to be found on tidal estuaries, water meadows, 

 arable land, and such like places, according to 

 the prevailing climatic conditions. This flocking 



