THE RELATIONS OF THE SEXES 163 



a slight circuit, and dropped close by. Both birds then joined 

 in a series of loud rolling cries in quick succession. Suddenly 

 the new-comer, which appeared to be a male, wheeled his back 

 towards the female and made a low bow, his head nearly touch- 

 ing the ground, and ending by a quick leap into the air. An- 

 other pirouette brought him facing his charmer, whom he 

 greeted with a still deeper bow, his wings meanwhile hanging 

 loosely by his side. She replied by an answering bow and 

 hop, and then each tried to outdo the other in a series of 

 spasmodic hops and starts, mixed with a set of comically grave 

 and ceremonious bows. The pair stood for some moments 

 bowing right and left, when their legs appeared to become 

 envious of the large share taken in the performance by the 

 neck, and then would ensue a series of skilled hops and skips, 

 which are more like the steps of a burlesque minuet than any- 

 thing else I can think of. Frequently others join, and the 

 dance keeps up until all are exhausted." 



Similarly, according to Mr. W. H. Hudson, the South 

 American Cayenne Lapwing indulges in dances of an elabor- 

 ate description. These birds, which are known in the Pampas 

 by the name of " teru-teru," generally live in pairs. " Any one 

 watching a pair," says Mr. Hudson, "will see an individual 

 from another pair rise and fly to them. Advancing to receive 

 their visitor, the pair place themselves behind it; then, all 

 three keeping step, begin a rapid march uttering resonant 

 drumming notes in time with their movements, the notes of 

 the pair behind being emitted in a stream like a drum-roll, 

 while the leader utters loud single notes at regular intervals. 

 The march ceases, the leader elevates his wings and stands 

 erect and motionless, still uttering loud notes ; while the other 

 two, with puffed-out plumage and standing exactly abreast, 

 stoop forward and downward, until the tips of their beaks 

 touch the ground, and sinking their rhythmical voices to a low 

 murmur, remain for some time in this posture. The perform- 

 ance is then over, and the visitor goes back to his own ground 

 and mate to receive a visitor himself later on.'' 



Another South American species of Spur-winged Plover, 

 which indulges in dances of this kind is the Jacana, a bird 

 remarkable for the enormous length of the toe-nails. Herein 

 both sexes participate. These birds go about in pairs, but 



