282 
BIRD-LIFE. 
can seize one another, the grasp is always mutual; they 
twine together and, unable to use their wings, descend 
with a rush, tumbling head oyer heels to the earth. The 
moment they touch the ground they let go ; but, as soon 
as they can rise again in the air, the fight begins afresh 
and with renewed vigour. After a long bout the weakest 
gives in and retires, followed by the conqueror till driven 
off the beat. In spite of defeat, however, the beaten one 
does not at once give up the struggle entirely. This 
often lasts for days, aye, even for weeks together; and it 
is only after repeated victories that the winner can enjoy 
his rights. A fatal ending to the fray, however, occurs 
but seldom with heroes so used to battle. 
We may often witness similar fights on a smaller 
scale. What a disturbance, for instance, rival males of 
the common Swift (Gypseius apus ) make when chasing 
one another. These birds, like Eagles and Falcons, will 
seize each other in mid-air and fall to the ground; 
indeed, they fight so persistently that one of the two 
sometimes expires from the effects of the struggle. We 
have, probably, all witnessed, more than once, Starlings, 
Sparrows, Finches, Yellow-hammers, Redstarts, and 
Water Wagtails, fighting for their mates. Some of us 
have, doubtless, amused ourselves catching Finches in 
the following manner: by tying across the back of a 
cock Chaffinch a lime twig to its wings, and placing the 
fettered bird on the ground near a wild one in the act of 
singing, the latter then immediately dashes at the 
intruder, and is caught by the bird-lime; thus falling a 
victim to its unbounded jealousy. In short, all birds 
are alike slaves to this passion. 
The domestic Cock is jealous in the extreme. One is 
often amused by seeing young Cockerels have a set-to 
