EVERY-DAY LIFE. 
265 
playing,—that is to say, flying about together in beautiful 
heliciform gyrations,—and then each pair returns to its 
special domain. Royston Crows, Carrion Crows,* Rooks, 
Vultures, Kites, Starlings and other sociable birds, usually 
meet together towards evening, for a ‘‘ palaver, ’ ’ before 
retiring to roost. The new arrivals are received by the 
company already assembled with loud cries, and even 
grotesque postures and bows: the latter I have often 
observed among Balearic Cranes (Balearicct yavonina) in 
Africa. It is a most comical sight to see a flock of these 
proud and beautiful birds greeted by another flock flying 
towards it; its approach is eagerly watched, and every 
call of those on the wing is answered with loud invita¬ 
tions : if these appear to be accepted, they almost one and 
all express their satisfaction by singular movements, 
which can only be compared to dancing; they then run 
to meet their visitors and commence a friendly chat. 
Many species fly towards those approaching, and all, in 
some way or another, find means to express their pleasure 
at seeing them. 
When one of these meetings takes place with a view of 
mutually assembling before going to roost, it lasts some¬ 
what longer than usual. Male song-birds pass the time 
by singing one against the other, competition in this 
noble art being carried to the highest possible pitch. 
Those which cannot sing utter a note or two and amuse 
themselves by preening their feathers. Every minute the 
flock increases, birds arriving singly or in pairs from all 
directions. They each evidently know before coming the 
place of meeting; it is easy to see this by observing the 
unerring line of flight taken by those coming from a 
distance. High or isolated trees, or detached clusters, 
* With regard to the Carrion Crow, the author must be mistaken.— TV. J. 
