which I keep the glasses, rolls again, in the same place (though turned the other way) in the most marked manner. Then, rising, he runs forward in the direction from which he has come, in the curious way before noted, the head lowered to line of back, and beak pointing straight forward.
In a little while the same thing occurs again, but again I am not quick enough with the glasses to be quite certain which bird it is that leads the way in these performances, immediately after the pairing. In each instance, however, I think it was the male. He now rolls in two different places, continuing, after the first time, to run on further in the same direction, before again stopping and rolling. It is only now, on this second occasion, that the other one runs up to him. The actions of the two are then as before, except that the last comer—the female, as I think—rolls this time, slightly, also. It is in a very imperfect and, as one may say, rudimentary manner, but I catch the characteristic, though subdued motion with the tail.
My glass was now upon a Peewit standing negligently on the warrens, when another one, entering its field, flew right down upon it, and either paired, or attempted to do so, without previously alighting on the ground. The time occupied was so short that I should not have supposed more than an attempt had taken place, had not the actions of the two birds immediately afterwards made me conclude that they had paired. They were almost precisely the same as on the first occasion, but I saw them more clearly from the commencement. Immediately after the pairing the male bird made his curious little run forward by the side of the female and a little beyond her, the characteristic features of it being somewhat emphasized.[1] He then made a short pause, but almost immediately continued straight on—a long run, at the end of which he pitched forward and commenced to roll. The female shortly came up to him in the same manner as on the other occasions, and the male bird now, moving his length forward and sinking down again, she sat in the spot where he had just rolled, pecking, as before described, whilst he rolled again just in front of her. The two birds then rose and stood, looking and pecking in the way that I have before noted. After
- ↑ By referring back to p. 134 it will be seen that the actions after (I) rolling, and (2) copulation, which rolling so much resembles, are identical.
