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The Descent of Man

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United States and observing the birds— does<br />

not doubt that the female deliberately chooses<br />

her mate; thus, speaking <strong>of</strong> a woodpecker, he<br />

says the hen is followed by half-a-dozen gay<br />

suitors, who continue performing strange antics,<br />

"until a marked preference is shewn for<br />

one." <strong>The</strong> female <strong>of</strong> the red-winged starling<br />

(Agelaeus phoeniceus) is likewise pursued by<br />

several males, "until, becoming fatigued, she<br />

alights, receives their addresses, and soon makes<br />

a choice." He describes also how several<br />

male night-jars repeatedly plunge through the<br />

air with astonishing rapidity, suddenly turning,<br />

and thus making a singular noise; "but no sooner<br />

has the female made her choice than the<br />

other males are driven away." With one <strong>of</strong> the<br />

vultures (Cathartes aura) <strong>of</strong> the United States,<br />

parties <strong>of</strong> eight, ten, or more males and females<br />

assemble on fallen logs, "exhibiting the strongest<br />

desire to please mutually," and after many<br />

caresses, each male leads <strong>of</strong>f his partner on the<br />

wing. Audubon likewise carefully observed the

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