Page:The British Warblers A History with Problems of Their Lives - 3 of 9.djvu/39

 movements can be followed very easily; they twist in and out of the bushes, generally in a circle, and it is only necessary to remain motionless in the same position in order to see the whole performance. In the middle of this flapping flight two of them will settle on branches opposite and close to one another, and raising the feathers on their heads and bodies, will open wide their bills, and utter a sound which is more like a grunting or croaking than anything else, and is quite unlike any of their usual notes.

At other times there are two females and one male. When this is the case the females pursue and fight with one another. But as a rule the female is little in evidence during all these proceedings, pursuing her way quietly in search of food; in fact, she seems to take no interest at all in the performances of the males. For this reason it is often a difficult matter to find her and follow her movements. She prefers the low shrubs and bushes to the taller trees, but occasionally travels amongst the tops of such trees as larch, in search of food, probably , which are plentiful in these places, or finds her way to the trees which are covered with the climbing ivy, and remaining some time amongst the foliage, feeds quietly on the berries. The only time she really makes her presence known is when she calls to the male, but this is not very often.

The positions assumed by the male during this short period are numerous and extravagant, frequently bordering on the ludicrous. They are an excellent illustration of the effect produced by sexual or other excitement upon a species with a highly developed nervous system; the muscles responsible for the different feather tracts are used indiscriminately, and the positions resulting therefrom are often devoid of any beauty of form. It is difficult to believe that any species can perform a greater variety of antics during such a period. The antics of such birds as the Great Bustard (Otis tarda), Birds of Paradise (Paradiseidæ), Argus Pheasant, &c., are well known, and are no doubt very wonderful; they attract