SEXUAL SELECTION IN BIRDS. 293 



about her, when she crouched, and it seemed now as though the 

 nuptial rite would be performed, for, pressing up, he was several 

 times on the point of assuming the position necessary to that 

 end. All at once, however, and in the very midst of these begin- 

 nings, he sank down at her side, in that prostrate attitude which 

 I have before alluded to, the characteristic point of which is not 

 that the bird merely sits or lies along the ground, as in incuba- 

 tion, but that he also bows his head upon it, and remains thus, 

 for a longer or shorter time, motionless. The hen now, rising, 

 began io offer towards this prostrate male in exactly the same 

 way as he had been doing towards her, the only difference being 

 that she was a little less emphatic. The intention or idea, how- 

 ever, was unmistakable. She even took hold of the back of his 

 neck with her bill, but all in a hesitating and, as it were, half- 

 hearted manner, which, if we call it coy, will not more obscure 

 the real truth of the matter than does the employment of that 

 word upon other occasions. True, upon the whole, it might be 

 better applied to the male, but the world itself is circular, or, at 

 least, elliptical. 



The Kuff thus preferred — for preferred he certainly seemed 

 to be — was a handsome black-maned one in full, or almost full, 

 plumage. Throughout there was no interference on the part of 

 any of the other Buffs, but after the incident was closed the hero 

 of it fought with one of them. I remained at my observatory 

 till past eight, by which time, in spite of a thick motor suit, 

 warm underclothing, woollen face-protector, sheepskin gloves, 

 two Scotch plaids, and a Shetland-shawl comforter, I was almost 

 frozen to death. What I had seen, however, was worth it, for 

 here, as it would seem, we have the Eeeve actually selecting a 

 husband from amongst the ten or a dozen Ruffs present, whilst 

 those not selected do not interfere even whilst the nuptial rite is 

 on the point of taking place, though not actually accomplished. 

 Why it should not have been it is difficult to say, but perhaps 

 the failure may be attributed to the earliness of the season. 



After breakfast I had to sleep a little, but was in hiding 

 again about 2.30. Some Ruffs were there on my arrival, and soon 

 things seemed to be in full swing. In about half an hour the 

 first Reeve came down, and shortly afterwards there was an 

 incident similar to the one I have just recorded. As this Reeve 



