The Descent of Man

chattering, sometimes fighting, bustling and
flying about the trees. The whole affair was
evidently considered by the birds as one of the
highest importance. Shortly after the meeting
they all separated, and were then observed by
Mr. Fox and others to be paired for the season.
In any district in which a species does not exist
in large numbers, great assemblages cannot, of
course, be held, and the same species may have
different habits in different countries. For instance,
I have heard of only one instance, from
Mr. Wedderburn, of a regular assemblage of
black game in Scotland, yet these assemblages
are so well known in Germany and Scandinavia
that they have received special names.
UNPAIRED BIRDS.
From the facts now given, we may conclude
that the courtship of birds belonging to widely
different groups, is often a prolonged, delicate,
and troublesome affair. There is even reason to