Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-03-10
C0urtsIiiD of Birds.

blght glance NJ n lew OF tne we'll
authenticated cases Of animal courtship
serves 10 show that birds but too closely
initiate the actions of the fond lover Of
the genus homo. One Of the best ex-
amplcs is cited by Mr. Gould, the we'll
known authority ON ornithological sub
Iccts. He says the actions Of the satin
bower bird bear close analogy to
those Of man in similar circumstances.
In carrying on it's courtship the bird,
not content with plain advances, crects
a structure Of grass, decorating it with
innmmcrable articles of hric-a-brac and
yirtu, and into this 4" hall Of courtship'
the female is invited, and she generally
succumbB to the blandishmcnts Of the
male and the gorgeous adommcutb Of
the bOudOir. Mr.. Gould SAYS that
these bowers are entirely distinct from
the nests, which are built in trees, and
are intended As halls Of courtship."
They are outwardly built Of tWigs
and beautifully lined with tall grasses,
50 disposed that their heads meet the
decorations are very profusc, and con
sist Of biyalye shells, crania Of small
mammalia aud other bones Evident
and beautiful instances Of design are
manifest throughout the bower, appar.
emily to keep the grasses with which it
is lined fixed firmly in their places :;
these stones diycrgc from the mouth Of
the run on each side, 30 as TO form little
paths, and the immense collection Of
decorative material, bones, shells, etc.
are placed III a heap before the entrance
Of the avenue, this arrangement being
the same at both ends.
Al times the male will chase the f.
male all over the ayiary,' Mr.. Gould
says, in describing their actions then
60 to thcSbowcr, pick mp a gay feather
or a large leaf. utter curious kind OF a
note, set all his feathers erect, run round
the bower, become so excited that his
eyes appear ready to start from his
head he continues opening one wing
and thcn the other, uitering low, whis-
thing note, and, like the domestic cock,
seems 10 be-. picking up something from
the ground, until at last the female goes
gently toward him. But they are sad
ilirts, as they often keep the poor fell
lows cutting up their strange antics for
days and when the cxpcctant lover asks
for some token Of return Of affection,
he is met with peck aud cuffs"
The courtship of the house martin is
conducted on the wing. The female is
pursued sometimes hy forty or fifty
males; sometimes rising in the air in
great circles, and then diving down,
wheeling and Curvcting and throwing
themselves into numerous crntic posi-
tions 10 attract the attention Of the fair
one. and when she makes her selection
the others are driven of. The ludicrous
actions Of tho lover are unbounded- -
carcssing her with bill and wings, and
ruflling his short feathers in an amusing
manner. The courtship Of the wood
pcckcr Is severe operation for the fe-
male, ~ she is followed constantly 10y
eight or ten gay followers. who vie with
each other in showing her attention.
and at last, utterly fa,igued, she alights
and makes her choice Of one Of the
males. and the rest are soon driven
off by the bride and groom
Tho courtship Of the great English
hus;ari is an extremely interesting
sight. The love-making is done en-
tircly in the air. The male will sail
around in curves, start up and hover
over tho female, then drop almost to
the ground, only to rise again and CON
tinue its odd and fantastic courtship
Similar in its actions il the Otis ben
galonsis, an allied bustard. At such
periods it rises perpendicularly into the
air with hurried tapping of his wings,
raising his crest and putting ont the
feathers Of his neck and breast, and
then drops to the ground. He repeats
this mancuver several times success
lively, at the same time humming in q
peculiar tone. Such females as happen
TO be near obey his salutary summons,
and when they approach he trails his
wings and spreads his tail like a turkey
cock.
Audubon says in regard to the court
ship of the Canada goose Those
that had been previously mated re-
newed their courtship as early as the
month of January, while others would
be coniending or coquetting for hours
every day, until all seemed satisfied with
the choice they had made, after which,
although they remained together. any
person could see that they were careful
to Laot, in faif-a I have ol,aorvoI aIao