NUPTIAL HABITS OF THE BLACKCOCK. 265 



abundant energy, called forth by the season, but something 

 more has evidently been required, and that something is the 

 not boisterous and formless but very careful and systematic 

 display, in which the cock bird exhibits all his chief points to 

 the hen. The fact that the latter here plays a quite indis- 

 pensable part, that the thing cannot go on without her, that she 

 is jealous, even to assault and battery, of other females, during 

 its continuance, and in every way gives the strongest evidence, 

 or rather proof, of its influence upon her, whilst paying, as far 

 as I can discover, no attention to the other, is surely immensely 

 suggestive— I would say, myself, conclusive. There is simply no 

 place for the display of the male Blackcock before the female, if 

 it be not for the purpose of winning her, and my notes show 

 it does win her. 



