134 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



The head and beak are pointed straight forward in one line with 

 the neck, which is stretched straight out to its fullest extent, the 

 crest lying flat down upon it. Evidently he is under the sway 

 of some special feeling, which is, as evidently, of a sexual 

 character. In this strange, set attitude, and with these funny 

 little set, formal steps, he advances without a pause for some 

 twenty or thirty yards, then stops, and, without leaning forward 

 on his breast, elevates the tail, waggles it strongly from side 

 to side with the same peculiar action as before, and then 

 flies off. 



Another — or it may be the same — bird is now acting in 

 a similar manner, though there are some points of difference. 

 Although his breast is inclined forward, he does not roll, but, 

 standing thus, keeps constantly moving the tail up and down 

 with the same motion — carrying with it the same suggestion — as 

 before ; whilst at intervals he turns on his feet, where he stands, 

 round, or nearly round. These actions are certainly sexual, and 

 seem intended to be more than mere nuptial antics. They 

 suggest — and still more is this the case where the bird rolls on 

 the ground with motions of the anal parts precisely similar to 

 those which may be observed whilst pairing is actually taking 

 place — an attempt (conscious or unconscious) to satisfy sexual 

 desire other than by the ordinary channel. 



March 9th. — A Peewit rolling on the warrens between 12.30 

 and 1 p.m. This bird seems to be quite alone. I cannot, with 

 the glasses, see any others either on the land or flying. 



March 14£/i. — A Peewit rolling. The tail and anal parts 

 are moved — wriggled — in an unmistakable manner, which sug- 

 gests — and only suggests — the actual act of pairing. Another 

 bird is near during this, but does not seem interested in the 

 rolling one, and the latter soon flies away without paying it any 

 attention. Yet it is to be remarked that the under tail-coverts 

 of the Peewit (just that part exposed during the rolling) are of 

 a rich bright chestnut, which becomes, then, very conspicuous. 



March 21st. — Have just watched a Peewit rolling in a very 

 conspicuous manner. It was a full back view, and, as the tail 

 was flung up and twisted from side to side, the rich chestnut 

 under tail-coverts were very conspicuous indeed. The wings 

 were, also, a little quivered, being at the same time drooped and 



