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The Descent of Man

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hid in the surrounding bushes. <strong>The</strong> noises uttered<br />

differ from those <strong>of</strong> T. urogallus.), follow<br />

nearly the same habits. <strong>The</strong> fowlers discover<br />

the hillocks where the ruffs congregate by the<br />

grass being trampled bare, and this shews that<br />

the same spot is long frequented. <strong>The</strong> Indians<br />

<strong>of</strong> Guiana are well acquainted with the cleared<br />

arenas, where they expect to find the beautiful<br />

cocks <strong>of</strong> the Rock; and the natives <strong>of</strong> New Guinea<br />

know the trees where from ten to twenty<br />

male birds <strong>of</strong> paradise in full plumage congregate.<br />

In this latter case it is not expressly stated<br />

that the females meet on the same trees, but the<br />

hunters, if not specially asked, would probably<br />

not mention their presence, as their skins are<br />

valueless. Small parties <strong>of</strong> an African weaver<br />

(Ploceus) congregate, during the breedingseason,<br />

and perform for hours their graceful<br />

evolutions. Large numbers <strong>of</strong> the Solitary snipe<br />

(Scolopax major) assemble during dusk in a<br />

morass; and the same place is frequented for<br />

the same purpose during successive years; here

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