COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE. 273 
manner, as though they could not fly; the Serin Finch 
(.Serinus hortensis ) imitates the flight of the Bat, by way 
of ingratiating itself; others again, as the Tree Pipit, 
Garden Warbler, and Wood Wren, rise high in the air 
like Wood Pigeons, singing the while, and descending in 
an oblique line to the ground; the Snipe rises to a great 
height and darts down again to its mate with a singular 
sound, which we call “drumming;” Lapwings and 
Sandpipers drive the female before them; Bucks and 
Geese rush around them on the surface of the water, 
and Grebes and Divers beneath as well as upon it. In 
short, every bird has its own peculiar movements in the 
pairing season, and these are all, more or less, for the 
entertainment of the female. 
It is really delightful to see the pretty steps which 
some males go through before the females. In the spring 
one may see ballet-dancing of this description performed 
by Water Wagtails on the ridge of a roof, or along the 
banks of the smallest streamlet. The male, as is well 
known, accompanies his mate the whole year round. In 
the month of April, however, he never leaves her for a 
moment; he follows every flight, and each footstep, 
even, with jealous care. When pairing time arrives he 
. circles round his mate with graceful movements, giving 
utterance at the same time to a tender and oft-repeated 
trembling note; the head is somewhat lowered, the 
wings extended, and the tail, which is drooped, also; he 
trips it lightly, moving his pinions tremulously, making 
obeisance, and approaching and retiring before his 
spouse, or bride elect, until she accepts this declaration 
of love, and crowns the lover’s wishes with caresses. 
Gray Wagtails act in a similar manner. The Pigeon, 
also,—whose soft billing and cooing has furnished 
