180 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



where they stood, and much less occupied in preening their 

 feathers than has hitherto been the case. This inaction continued 

 up to twilight, and I connect it in some measure at least with an 

 unusual absence of insects at this time. For the first time I was 

 bothered neither with flies nor (till nearly dark) mosquitoes, nor 

 did I see any insect in the air or on the ground in front of me. 

 Since the 5th it had rained heavily, and yesterday almost the 

 whole day, whilst to-day has been bright and fine. This listless- 

 ness is in marked contrast with the great activity of the birds on 

 the afternoon of the 5th, which was certainly displayed in catching 

 insects, then much en evidence. Still the diminished preening of 

 the feathers and almost moping demeanour is not accounted for 

 in this way. The only piece of action I observed whilst it was 

 still good daylight was when one bird pursued another in a hostile 

 manner, a cry being uttered by one of them (I think the pursued 

 one) as of distress or remonstrance. (This, at least I think, 

 but the birds were at too great a distance for me to be certain that 

 it was not another of the birds round about that called.) With 

 twilight, however, activity began, and the running and waving of 

 wings was now perhaps more marked than it has yet been (at 

 least on the part of some of the birds). One bird executed what 

 might certainly be described as a dance, making swift (and 

 apparently aimless) rushes backwards and forwards, waving the 

 wings all the while in an excited manner, making now and again 

 (I think) a little leap into the air, and, as apart of all this, a short 

 flight just over the ground. I am justified in saying "as a part," 

 for the bird did not stop and fly, and, on alighting, recommence, 

 but the flight arose out of the wild waving and running, and when 

 it was over these were at once resumed. Another bird made 

 three little runs — advancing, retiring, and again returning — all 

 the time with wings upraised and waving, then made a short 

 flight close above the ground (describing segment of a circle), 

 and, on alighting, continued as before. The birds, as a body, 

 behaved similarly. I could not of course observe each one, but 

 kept catching the light inner plumage of the wings as they were 

 thrown suddenly up. All about now over the plateau the plain- 

 tive wailing notes were heard, and gradually— as on former 

 occasions— the birds flitted off. I was again lucky in the first of 

 the birds, whose dance movements I have more particularly 



