204 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



excited and curious-looking manner, over the sand, following one 

 another. This action was a good deal like that of Avocets under 

 similar circumstances. Compare both with the Peewit's, in 

 which the run is followed by a performance in which each of the 

 two birds may join, which performance is constantly to be seen, 

 during the breeding-time, quite independently of the nuptial rite. 

 It is then assumed to be in the nature of a display by the male 

 before the female, though very often — indeed, I think, most 

 commonly — no second bird is to be seen near about. My own 

 view (held, however, with an open mind) is that it is in process 

 of passing into this, and still bears clear traces of its origin. 



Have just had a very salient example of the pairing of Ked- 

 shanks. The male, advancing to within some two feet of the 

 female, continually waved and fluttered his wings above his back, 

 holding them well aloft, whilst, all the while, uttering a little 

 tremulous note, and nervously moving his red shanks. He did 

 this for a considerable time — perhaps a minute — the effect, of 

 course, being very striking ; and then, rising on the wing, 

 fluttered, for a little, just over, and about a foot above, her, before 

 dropping down for the actual performance of the rite. This did 

 not seem altogether successful, and the fact that it was gone 

 through again only a few minutes afterwards is perhaps evidence 

 that it was not, though it would not be with some birds — for in- 

 stance, the Sparrow. Birds, however, seem often to perform this 

 act with a good deal of difficulty. Nature has given the male 

 adornments and antics in connection with it, but not special 

 organs of prehension, which he often seems to be in want of. 

 This should make the co-operation of the female the more neces- 

 sary. Success, I think, in this instance would have been im- 

 possible without it. There was no special run, here, immediately 

 after the act of coition, but, in the interval between the first and 

 second time, both the birds walked, for a little, about and very 

 near each other, fanning out their tails, whilst bending them 

 inwards, so that, had their legs been short, they would have 

 swept the ground at intervals, as does that of the courting 

 Pigeon. 



Have been watching, now, for a considerable time, the actions 

 of a pair of rival male Kedshanks, as I suppose them to be. 

 Flying or running, these birds chase each other interminably — 



