148 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Partridge, and Starling most perfectly imitated. And at what 

 other time does he go through those extraordinary, what one 

 might call, gestures to the female ; he does all he can to speak ? 

 At times, when he twists his neck round and turns his head 

 upward, he appears to be imploring heaven to help him. 



I could mention many similar cases, but these, I think, are 

 sufficient to prove that the whole powers of the bird's body and 

 mind are concentrated solely on the possession of a female. 

 This being so, it appears to me to be highly improbable that 

 this action can in any way refer directly to the construction of 

 the nest. 



For a minute let us consider it simply expressive in practical 

 form of a mind overburdened with the mental image of a nest 

 and all that pertains to its construction, and that it is in no way 

 associated with any sexual passion. Assuming this, then, why 

 do we not find the same action in the female ? Assuredly to her 

 the nest must mean as much, if not more, than to the male ; and 

 if this was only an expression of delight on the part of the male 

 at the return of the breeding season, it is only reasonable to 

 suppose that we should find the same or some similar action in 

 the female. But the fact is clear to my mind that in no case 

 have I found any similar action in the female. I admit my 

 observations are few, and can in no way be thought of as any- 

 thing in the nature of proof; but, taken in conjunction with 

 Mr. Selous' own observations, I think it will be admitted there 

 is reasonable basis upon which his theory is raised. 



