SIR,—Among "animals which play games" the saras, or Indian crane
(Ardea Antigone), is, I think, entitled to a place. Some twelve or fourteen years ago, in the Shahjahanpur dis- trict of Rohilkband, I witnessed a dance by three of these birds, in which one, a female, stood in the centre while the other two, males, described figures of eight round her, all three bowing to each other at regular intervals. The move- ments throughout were perfectly uniform and very graceful, and the birds were so absorbed in their dance, which lasted for several minutes, that they took no notice of me, though I was within forty or fifty yards of them. I have also seen what I can only describe as a boxing match between two of these cranes, which was a most ludicrous sight. Twelve or fifteen sdras formed a ring, in the middle of which the two com- batants fought a number of rounds, squaring up at each other with their wings, and striking blows which could be heard several hundred yards off. There was no biting or kicking, nothing but honest boxing with the wings. Each round lasted perhaps a minute or more, and in the intervals the two com- batants strolled about in the ring until time was up, when they went at it again. I sat on my horse watching the fight for at least ten minutes, at the end of which the ring broke up and the birds dispersed. How long it had been going on before my arrival on the scene I cannot say. Neither pugilist showed any signs of temper during the combat, or appeared to be at all damaged, and the whole proceedings were character- ised by the most decorous formality.—I am, Sir, &c., H. C. I.
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