64 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



inside it, again, I see a number of Buffs, newly come in, and one 

 Eeeve, if not two. If two, however, one soon flieB away. This 

 Eeeve goes to no bird in particular, and there is no rite. The 

 behaviour of the Euffs, during her stay, is interesting and signi- 

 ficant. Pressed to the ground in the usual manner, they seem 

 all to be awaiting in a state of suppressed excitement something 

 that will, or may, take place. At intervals, however — some- 

 times owing to some slight motion on the part of the Eeeve, 

 sometimes without this incentive — they all frounce about, still 

 hugging the ground, in the way I have described ; then, rising, 

 dart about over the course, sometimes springing at one another 

 and sparring a little — but this is quite subordinate. Several 

 may press about the Eeeve in a way difficult to describe — indeed, 

 it is all difficult. It indicates strong sexual desire, but the 

 power of initiation seems wanting. In fact, they seem — and 

 everything, up to the present, points to the fact that they are — 

 governed by the consciousness of being able to do nothing with- 

 out the co-operation of the Eeeve — she must first signify her 

 wish. Of display there is something, but it is not such a set or 

 formal display as in the case, for instance, of the Pheasant or 

 Pigeon — excitement seems to hinder this. The best example of 

 it is when a bird, darting, first, right away from her, turns, 

 and, darting back, again, right to her side, with ruff swelled out, 

 and wing (I think on her side) drooped, seems, for a moment, 

 as though he would overwhelm her with his gallant show, but, 

 the next, sinks prostrate at her side, and remains thus glued to 

 the earth. Though highly desirous, in fact, the birds seem to 

 know that they must wait, and to fear to dare too much ; there is 

 a suggestion of enforced submission, an " I ivould, an if I could" 

 — the tempest is contracted, each wave seems to fear to break. 

 For the Eeeve, everything about her, her every action — still 

 more her inaction, her easiness, and unconcern — suggests that 

 she is complete mistress of the situation, that every Euff on the 

 ground is absolutely dependent on her will. In fact, she seems 

 the plain and unconcerned little mistress of a numerous and 

 handsome seraglio, each member of which, however he flounce 

 and bounce, can only wait to be chosen. 



The pairing, then, has now commenced. Yet only two Eeeves 

 have come to the place from 3.15 to 7.30, and whether both or 



