BLACKCAP 



movements can be followed very easily ; they twist in and 

 out of the bushes, generally in a circle, and it is only neces- 

 sary to remain motionless in the same position in order to 

 see the whole performance. In the middle of this flapping 

 flight two of them will settle on branches opposite and close 

 to one another, and raising the feathers on their heads and 

 bodies, will open wide their bills, and utter a sound which is 

 more like a grunting or croaking than anything else, and is 

 quite unlike any of their usual notes. 



At other times there are two females and one male. 

 When this is the case the females pursue and fight with 

 one another. But as a rule the female is little in evidence 

 during all these proceedings, pursuing her way quietly in 

 search of food; in fact, she seems to take no interest at all 

 in the performances of the males. For this reason it is often 

 a difficult matter to find her and follow her movements. She 

 prefers the low shrubs and bushes to the taller trees, but 

 occasionally travels amongst the tops of such trees as larch, 

 in search of food, probably Ghironomidce, which are plentiful 

 in these places, or finds her way to the trees which are 

 covered with the climbing ivy, and remaining some time 

 amongst the foliage, feeds quietly on the berries. The only 

 time she really makes her presence known is when she calls 

 to the male, but this is not very often. 



The positions assumed by the male during this short 

 period are numerous and extravagant, frequently bordering 

 on the ludicrous. They are an excellent illustration of the 

 effect produced by sexual or other excitement upon a species 

 with a highly developed nervous system ; the muscles respon- 

 sible for the different feather tracts are used indiscriminately, 

 and the positions resulting therefrom are often devoid of any 

 beauty of form. It is difficult to believe that any species can 

 perform a greater variety of antics during such a period. The 

 antics of such birds as the Great Bustard {Otis tarda), Birds 

 of Paradise (Paradiseidce), Argus Pheasant, &c, are well 

 known, and are no doubt very wonderful ; they attract 



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