BRITISH WARBLERS 
The behaviour of the Kentish Plover (4/gialitis cantiana) 
is InN many ways similar to that of the Avocet, the same out- 
spreading of the tail and wings, raising of the feathers on the 
back, and lowering of the head; but this species more fre- 
quently remains in one place lying upon the ground, rapidly 
flapping its wings and at the same time uttering a peculiar 
buzzing sound. It also expands its wings alternately, a feature 
of the behaviour at this period, which J have not seen go 
marked in the case of the Avocet. The Reeve (Machetes 
pugnax) also becomes very much excited when her young 
are approached. Settling on the ground, she runs rapidly 
about in a crouching attitude with her wings drooping, tail 
expanded and lowered, the feathers on her back raised and 
her head lowered, and from time to time she makes peculiar 
little springs into the air, which I imagine must be some- 
what similar to those of the males when fighting. The 
Teal (Querquedula crecca) disturbed during incubation flutters 
off the nest and along the ground for some. considerable 
distance. Many instances of the same kind could be given, 
but I believe that much exaggeration has arisen through the 
indiscriminate use of the terms “injured,” or “ wounded,” and 
would have been avoided if the actions had been simply 
designated as helpless. 
Looked at from the point of view of the intellectualist, 
which is to assume that the bird has some knowledge of the 
relation between the means employed and the ends attained, 
the question is beset with difficulties; for not only must 
a process of essentially human ratiocination be ascribed to 
the bird, but it must also be credited with some considerable 
knowledge of mental states other than its own; it might, in 
fact, with some truth be said that as great a knowledge is 
implied in this direction as has hitherto been vouchsafed to 
man. Such a contingency is beyond the range of probability 
and need not be further discussed. But if it be still thought 
that the object of these activities is to entice an intruder away 
from the nest, then there is only one explanation open to us— 
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