AVICULTUBAL EXPERIENCES. 245 



in their courtship ; they nevertheless sing their harsh songs when 

 making this display. The species of Pyromelcena, when singing, 

 draw back the head, erect the feathers of the crown, nape, back, 

 rump, upper tail-coverts, and flanks; indeed, all the feathers on 

 the body seem to be partly erected, greatly adding to the apparent 

 size and beauty of the birds. After the song, having the feathers 

 still extended, they chase the hens with a curious mechanical 

 buzzing flight, such as I have noticed in no other birds. 



Among the Starling-like birds, I have been able to make very 

 few observations ; but I believe the Meadow-Starlings show off 

 to their hens upon the wing, flying over, and singing to them. 

 Thus the Ked-breasted Marsh-bird (Leistes super ciliosus), and 

 the Military Troopials (Trupialis militaris and T. defilippii), are 

 able to exhibit the gorgeous crimson of their under parts, 

 which, when they crouch upon the earth, is almost completely 

 hidden. 



I have never kept pairs of any of the Crows ; therefore can- 

 not speak from experience of their courtship ; but this is true 

 also of many other groups. Parrots and Doves make friends 

 with their mates by feeding and caressing them, but the different 

 groups of Doves have various ways of showing off ; the Columbidce 

 bowing very low, with erected expanded tail and drooped wings ; 

 then, lifting the head high, and throwing out the chest, they coo 

 simultaneously. The Peristeridce do much the same thing, the 

 tail opening and shutting like a fan. 



The Bar-shouldered Dove (Geopelia humeralis) at first bows 

 to his hen, as already described ; but, if she ignores his atten- 

 tions, he turns his back upon her, raises his head high, spreads 

 his tail downwards so that it sweeps the earth, runs forward with 

 an angry little guttural sound, and looks back at her over his 

 shoulder. If, after doing this about a dozen times, she still 

 takes no notice, he rushes at her in a fury, and commences 

 plucking feathers from her neck and back. The other species 

 of Geopelia (Columbula picui and Chamcepelia passerina) show off 

 in the usual manner ; I have not seen them assume the second 

 offended attitude adopted by G. humeralis. 



I have never had a hen of the Cape Dove, and the cocks, 

 when by themselves, are singularly apathetic ; so that I have not 

 been able to note the behaviour of this singular looking bird ; 



