THE DANCING BIRD.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1520, 19 February 1886, Page 4

THE DANCING BIRD.

A recent issue ot the proceedings of the United States National Museum contains a very interesting account of a dancer bird among the collection of birds at Nicaragua, called by the Spanish name " Toledo" (but pronounced "To-lay-do") on account of a fancied likeness to their whistling note. The natives also call this bird " Bailador," or " Dancer." The writer states that it was not until he had been in the district some time that he understood why it was given the name. One day, while hunting through the dense forest, the profound silence was suddenly broken by the regularly repeated note of M EI Bailador," and, softly making his way to the spot whence the soun 1 proceeded, he witnessed one of the most remarkable performances he has ever seen. Upon a bare twig which overhung the trail, at a distance of about four feet from the ground, two male " Bailadors" were engaged in a song-and-dance act that astounded the beholder. The birds were about a foot and a half apart, and were alternately jumping about two feet into the air, and alight' ing exactly on the spot whence they jumped. They kept as regular time as clockwork, as one bird jumped up the moment the other alighted, while each accompanied himself to tbe tune of " To-le-do, to-lfrdo !" sounding the word ** To " as he crouched to spring, ,4 )e " while in the air, and "doas w he alighted. This performance was continually kept up for more than a minute, when they suddenly noticed that they had an observer, and immediately flew off.