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ABSTRACT IN the May number of _The Zoologist_ Mr. J. M. Dewar discusses the evolutions performed by flocks of certain kinds of wading birds of the family Charadriidæ. These evolutions, which


are based on a simple type common to the whole family, but frequently comprise specialised additions, are believed by the author to be of a defensive and protective nature, the essential


form of movement being an imitation of the sea-spray. “When the flock is large the movements are often sectional, and what seems to be a succession of waves passing through an extended flock


is in many cases an extremely quick repetition of the simpler form of the evolutions by sections. The ‘sheet-movements’ which provide much of the spectacular display are rendered possible


by the same circumstance, and generally grow out of the simpler form.... In other words, one may say the simpler evolutions are imitative in character and protective in purpose; in the


complex evolutions the simpler imitative movements are partially hidden by the development of a wealth of movement which is still protective in purpose, but which, as regards character, is


incapable at present of a simple and comprehensive explanation.” Access through your institution Buy or subscribe This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution


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about institutional subscriptions * Read our FAQs * Contact customer support Authors * R. L. View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND


PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE L., R. _Bird Notes_ . _Nature_ 89, 439 (1912). https://doi.org/10.1038/089439a0 Download citation * Issue Date: 27


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