Birds. 



8323 



diction of Sir Cresswell. The experiment was repeated several times 

 with the same result, until, in fact, the persecuted "weaker vessel" 

 was driven by a fierce charge to leap the fence, in doing which he 

 tore a long wound in his neck, and might have been seriously injured. 

 This evidenced real hostility on the one part and fear on the other. 

 Thinking the presence of the young ones might possibly be the cause 

 of offence, and deeming they were now able to shift for themselves, 

 I determined to wean them, and, as a preparatory step, removed them 

 and their father to another inclosure, as much out of sight and hearing 

 as could be arranged. They were some time in getting settled in their 

 new habitat, especially the little ones, who appear to have the organ 

 of locality very largely developed. In introducing the male bird again 

 to his companion, it was necessary to take the young ones as well, as 

 they would not be parted. Precisely the same scene recurred as at 

 first, namely, a violent charge, by which the male was overpowered by 

 the female and obliged to run ; but, after a little while, the former 

 gained courage, beat off the latter, and completely turned the tables, 

 the young ones joining heartily in the chase with either party. This 

 was repeated day after day, without any progress towards a settlement 

 of the domestic difficulty, and to the extent of the heavier bulk of the 

 hen bird becoming distressed by exhaustion, and she showed symptoms 

 of being sorely frightened whenever she saw the approach of her law- 

 ful mate. I now separated the young ones entirely, and shut the male 

 bird up to reduce his spirit in turn. This had the desired effect. On 

 being let out together, after three days' confinement, she was again 

 master. They were now transferred into a field, where there was 

 plenty of room for them to run, without danger of doing much mischief 

 to each other. Here the more agile and lithesome male readily escaped 

 from his persecutor, and she had to give it up for awhile, until suffi- 

 ciently recovered to renew the chase, with the same result. They are 

 getting weary, after a fortnight, with this sort of daily occupation, and 

 are gradually becoming more reconciled to each other's presence. 

 I expect very shortly the male bird will turn again, assert his natural 

 equality at least, and that then they will make it up for another 

 season. 



The final parting of the young ones with their father was very hard 

 work. The poor little things, as soon as they found themselves alone, 

 set up the most plaintive cries, lasting all through the night, and the 

 following day or two, and beat themselves about, until one had made its 

 head and neck quite sore, against the sides of the inclosure, — incessantly 

 haunting that side towards where their paternal guardian, friend and 



