Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/295

Rh in their courtship; they nevertheless sing their harsh songs when making this display. The species of Pyromelæna, when singing, draw back the head, erect the feathers of the crown, nape, back, rump, upper tail-coverts, and flanks; indeed, all the feathers on the body seem to be partly erected, greatly adding to the apparent size and beauty of the birds. After the song, having the feathers still extended, they chase the hens with a curious mechanical buzzing flight, such as I have noticed in no other birds.

Among the Starling-like birds, I have been able to make very few observations; but I believe the Meadow-Starlings show off to their hens upon the wing, flying over, and singing to them. Thus the Red-breasted Marsh-bird (Leistes superciliosus), and the Military Troopials (Trupialis militaris and T. defilippii), are able to exhibit the gorgeous crimson of their under parts, which, when they crouch upon the earth, is almost completely hidden.

I have never kept pairs of any of the Crows; therefore cannot speak from experience of their courtship; but this is true also of many other groups. Parrots and Doves make friends with their mates by feeding and caressing them, but the different groups of Doves have various ways of showing off; the Columbidæ bowing very low, with erected expanded tail and drooped wings; then, lifting the head high, and throwing out the chest, they coo simultaneously. The Peristeridæ do much the same thing, the tail opening and shutting like a fan.

The Bar-shouldered Dove (Geopelia humeralis) at first bows to his hen, as already described; but, if she ignores his attentions, he turns his back upon her, raises his head high, spreads his tail downwards so that it sweeps the earth, runs forward with an angry little guttural sound, and looks back at her over his shoulder. If, after doing this about a dozen times, she still takes no notice, he rushes at her in a fury, and commences plucking feathers from her neck and back. The other species of Geopelia (Columbula picui and Chamæpelia passerina) show off in the usual manner; I have not seen them assume the second offended attitude adopted by G. humeralis.

I have never had a hen of the Cape Dove, and the cocks, when by themselves, are singularly apathetic; so that I have not been able to note the behaviour of this singular looking bird;