SEXUAL SELECTION IN BIRDS. 219 



scene of the conflict, and watched it, she has prevented another 

 male from taking part in it, she has driven away one of the two 

 fighting males, she has fought desperately with, and conquered, 

 another hen who showed the same interest in the matter as 

 herself, and she has even alarmed an uninterested Oystercatcher 

 who unwittingly came too near. Why, in particular, did she 

 attack that other hen ? Notwithstanding those wise cautions, 

 already alluded to, not to read human psychology into the co- 

 descendants, with humanity, from a common, lowly stock, I 

 shall boldly assume that she was jealous of her. 



(To be continued.) 



s2 



