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78

Rhamphocelus, Jun. 16, 1961, III              

very lowest indications of a Pre-cop Posture. They are usually, in fact, the first Pre-cop components to appear — preceding the BL & TU!! This was certainly not true, I think, of most of the males low intensity Pre-Cop Postures yesterday. Why has he changed today?

It may be that he is more afraid of the female today. She certainly seems to be strongly dominant today — more so than she was yesterday. The male frequently flies straight away from her when she lands beside him. These reactions seem to be supplanting attacks, of a sort.

The male is still (6:40) approaching the female, from time to time, assuming a brief Pre-Cop Posture as he does so. Such approaches are always accompanied by some MCN's (sometimes soft, sometimes staccato). I think that sometimes the MCN's are uttered by both birds "Greetings."

[[image]]

Perhaps the body should be slightly more horizontal.

One of the BF postures in which the male utters "Keeyoo" songs.

Wings not always drooped. Some times held up, touching on back.

Notice that back and rump are hardly fluffed at all.

Tail sometimes not so strongly depressed. More in line with body.

Transcription Notes:
[[image: sketch of bird, red arrows pointing to the beak, belly and rump]]