202 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



moment or two afterwards — at least, in one instance. Out of 

 materials such as this — pure physical excitation of a certain 

 kind — the most elaborate actions of sexual display may possibly 

 have grown. It is curious, at any rate, that in some birds, in 

 which this latter has not attained a high degree of development, 

 the two things are closely similar. 



Why, after the pairing, does not the male fly away from the 

 female, or vice versa ? Both birds have satisfied their sexual 

 instinct, so that, if this was the only impulse which kept them 

 together, they should now, for the time, be nothing to one 

 another. Yet, instead of separating, they continue to swim side 

 by side in the most affectionate manner, and whichever of the 

 two may take the initiative in going anywhere is closely followed 

 by the other. This continues hour after hour, right through the 

 morning, deep into the afternoon — for the whole day, there can 

 be no doubt, were one to sit it out, and so for day after day. 

 Moreover, the intervals between the performance of the nuptial 

 rite are considerable — several hours, it would seem. Envisaging 

 these facts, and observing the whole manner of the two birds, 

 to me it seems evident that friendship and affection, irrespective 

 of sexual appetite, keep such pairs together. Their married 

 relations are, in fact, very like our own, at their best, and if it 

 be said that we cannot argue from ourselves to other animals, 

 it is certainly less scientific to assume a difference in kind, in 

 spite both of appearances and the known facts of evolution. 

 This, however — with some naive contradictions, usually — seems 

 to pass with many for the scientific attitude. Well, so be it. 

 Assume the difference, dispense with observation, talk evolution, 

 and think like a special-creationist ! 



Oystercatchers are birds that one may watch for hours, with- 

 out succeeding in tearing out the heart of their mystery. That 

 they pipe together in pairs, I have already mentioned — it is a 

 salient feature — and also that one pair will chase another pair, 

 both — i.e. all four — piping. That such pairs represent mated 

 birds is not to be doubted, for that the female as well as the male 

 pipes I have had conclusive evidence. But what is the feeling 

 which produces these quartettes ? Is it hostile or social ? This 

 is not always easy to tell. Two pairs, for instance, on the open 

 fields, are behaving in this manner now. They race after one 



