420 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



come down. Generally it did so very shortly afterwards — after 

 another circle, no doubt — and, as it did, these actions were 

 repeated. In the few cases, however, where nothing followed, I 

 could have no doubt as to what had caused the excitement — the 

 stretching up especially being quite distinctive. 



Eeturning again at 2 p.m. I find the place as bare as when I 

 left it. Only one or two Buffs came in between then and four or 

 five, and no Beeves did ; so that it seems evident that this wintry 

 weather has given a check to the nuptial activities. 



April 19th. — This was a dreadful day, and I have nothing to 

 record. 



April 20th. — Better weather, especially in the morning, which, 

 though cold, was sunshiny on and off. I was then, however, else- 

 where, and it was about two before I got to my place of espial. I 

 watched till sis, during all which time there were birds, on and 

 off, but (except once, when nothing took place worth recording) 

 only males, and never more than six together — more usually two 

 or three. Close attention to these Buffs — or rather ordinary 

 attention at close quarters — shows a state of things less simple 

 than mere intuition might lead one to suppose. They are con- 

 stantly, so to say, mistaking one another for the female. One 

 of a pair, for instance, that have been inseparable since their 

 arrival, keeps, at intervals, trying conclusions, after this fashion, 

 with the other, who, for its part, almost permits of this, then 

 makes a flounce about, on the ground, in the curious crouched 

 attitude, ruffling its feathers, and holds up its bill, in a curious 

 way, to its solicitor. Then it sinks down, quietly, by the side of 

 and, sometimes pressed against, the latter, but soon all this 

 is repeated. From a distance this might be mistaken for fight- 

 ing, but perverted sexuality is the real keynote, though the more 

 ordinary fighting instinct may mingle with this. In fact, the 

 birds seem sometimes hardly to understand themselves, or to 

 know where their feelings are leading them. One of these two 

 would sometimes run at another, some way off, and then imme- 

 diately return to his companion, against whom he would press 

 himself and sink down beside him. Later the same pair made, 

 twice or thrice, an absurd sort of demonstration against each 

 other, never springing or coming into contact, and desisting 

 almost at once. 



