Page:The British Warblers A History with Problems of Their Lives - 8 of 9.djvu/25

 way related to her presence. He shares this peculiarity with other species. In the life of the Willow Warbler I expressed an opinion as to the exact relation the song may bear to the presence of the female, and I believe that the explanation there suggested holds good in this instance. Now the behaviour of certain males during the first half of July is similar to that which we can observe at the commencement of the breeding season. It is difficult to trace the origin of such behaviour; it may be due to a recurrence of sexual activity before a second brood, or perhaps to a specially late arrival of some individuals. Objection can be raised to either assumption. Though a second brood may be reared if the first attempt has proved abortive, yet it is doubtful whether such a proceeding is normal in the sexual life of the species. On the other hand, is it likely that males can arrive so late as the latter part of June and only then commence the task of reproduction? There is something to be said for this. On more than one occasion I have noticed about the third week in June an influx of individuals, belonging to various species, brilliant in plumage and bearing no trace of wear or conjugation. But, whatever the explanation may be, the behaviour without a doubt takes its root in the sexual instinct—the attitudes betoken nothing if not sexual desire—and I am inclined to think that it could be described as even more suffused with feeling tone than is customary earlier in the season. At this period the male commences to sing about three o'clock in the morning; he does not, however, burst forthwith into a full flood of song, but warbles for a short space, then lapses into silence, repeating the process with a gradual lengthening of the singing period. Within his territory he wanders from tree to tree and sometimes floats from one tree to another on outspread wings, warbling as he flies, and upon the female uttering a call note in the bushes beneath, he flies or rather floats down to her and commences to warble excitedly, she, on her part, producing a quiet purring sound. After a short time he flies up to the trees, then again