Page:The British Warblers A History with Problems of Their Lives - 4 of 9.djvu/62

 The behaviour of the Kentish Plover (Ægialitis cantiana) is in many ways similar to that of the Avocet, the same outspreading of the tail and wings, raising of the feathers on the bach, and lowering of the head; but this species more frequently remains in one place lying upon the ground, rapidly flapping its wings and at the same time uttering a peculiar buzzing sound. It also expands its wings alternately, a feature of the behaviour at this period, which I have not seen so marked in the case of the Avocet. The Reeve (Machetes pugnax) also becomes very much excited when her young are approached. Settling on the ground, she runs rapidly about in a crouching attitude with her wings drooping, tail expanded and lowered, the feathers on her back raised and her head lowered, and from time to time she makes peculiar little springs into the air, which I imagine must be somewhat similar to those of the males when fighting. The Teal (Querquedula crecca) disturbed during incubation flutters off the nest and along the ground for some considerable distance. Many instances of the same kind could be given, but I believe that much exaggeration has arisen through the indiscriminate use of the terms "injured," or "wounded," and would have been avoided if the actions had been simply designated as helpless.

Looked at from the point of view of the intellectualist, which is to assume that the bird has some knowledge of the relation between the means employed and the ends attained, the question is beset with difficulties; for not only must a process of essentially human ratiocination be ascribed to the bird, but it must also be credited with some considerable knowledge of mental states other than its own; it might, in fact, with some truth be said that as great a knowledge is implied in this direction as has hitherto been vouchsafed to man. Such a contingency is beyond the range of probability and need not be further discussed. But if it be still thought that the object of these activities is to entice an intruder away from the nest, then there is only one explanation open to us—