286 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



much that might be killed, and to this is add§d, where actual de- 

 predation is witnessed, a feeling of hatred, and desire for revenge. 

 There can be no impartiality or discrimination in such an atmo- 

 sphere, no balancing of the arguments. The defence is unpopular, 

 and a cold ear is turned to any witness for it. 



November 22nd. — Back at Icklingham. A Rabbit to-day ran 

 suddenly out of a bush, and almost over a Moorhen that was 

 feeding near it, for the bush edged her pond. I do not know 

 whether this was accidental on the part of the Rabbit, or a 

 demonstration, as in the case of the Stock-Dove. The Moorhen 

 was at first quite alarmed, but recovered herself, and could soon 

 browse calmly again. 



November 24th. — This morning I noticed two male Pheasants 

 engaged in hostilities, or, rather, in threatening them. They 

 crouched opposite each other, the feathers of their breasts just 

 touching the grass, and about a foot apart. In this position each 

 would dart the beak forward, and, as it almost touched the 

 opposing bird's, retire it again. The lunge, however, was not 

 made fiercely, but in a timid, half-hearted manner, as though 

 either bird would be glad of a good excuse for withdrawing from 

 the business. This seemed to be particularly the case with one 

 of them, who at every little pause rose and began to walk away 

 with a half-dignified, half-unconscious appearance. But, upon 

 this, the other would always make a run at him, when he would 

 instantly front round and crouch into the same position, which 

 his opponent likewise assuming, the same proceedings recom- 

 menced. As the wish of the one bird to retire became more 

 marked, the rushes of the other grew fiercer, but a very little 

 facing about was sufficient to quell this martial ardour. " Resist 

 and I retire ; retire and I pursue," seemed to be the motto. It 

 was a Nym and Pistol affair, and a passing cart put an end to it. 

 This is strange fighting. I would all men were such warriors. 

 When these Pheasants were thus crouched before one another, 

 the tail of one of them was raised almost straight up in the air, 

 and expanded. This, however, I soon concluded to be the wind. 

 Perhaps I was mistaken, but the other one, who faced the wind, 

 had his tail straight out along the ground. 



December 8th. — I spent a cold half-hour to-day in watching 

 Rooks feeding in a meadow. Several found something which 



