Here is a little piece I wrote during the 1973 Season at Skegness,
wherein I spoke of the Redcoat as if it were a bird. READ IT!
If you were a Redcoat yourself, you will appreciate what it's all about.

THE LESSER-SPOTTED REDCOAT

BIRD PORTRAITS - Series 1

The Lesser-Spotted Redcoat is found in seaside resorts between May and September only, whence it promptly disappears until the following year. During the season it is intent only on mating. In the daytime it involves itself in all kinds of energetic activities amongst the females of common or domestic birds. After twilight it becomes subdued, and is content to stay by its pre-selected partner. It gathers in a large, communal courtship area where it shows off its mate to other members of the flock. They perform a mating-dance ritual known as a “smooch,” at the end of which each pair retires to its own nesting-box - known as a "chalet".

Until now, there has been little or no rivalry. If, however, on arriving at the chalet it is found to be occupied by another male, one of two things can happen:

1. If the unpaired male is itself a Redcoat, it will leave peacefully, and return only when the pair have mated.
2. If, however, the second male is in fact permanently paired with the female, the Redcoat will vacate the scene as quickly as possible - if not quicker. Although considered flightless the Redcoat has been known, at times like this, to fly from second-storey chalets, to the ground below - such is its instinct for survival.

Once a Redcoat has successfully mated it will completely ignore the female - unless, that is, the latter has proved itself to be exceptionally good. If this is the case, then the Redcoat will again mate with her, but for a maximum period of one week. After that, she is forced, to return to her flock.

As soon as the female has departed, the male immediately begins to display to the other females who have arrived to replace the ones that are leaving. So once again the Redcoat is seen strutting around his stamping ground, inflating his bright-red chest, and making inarticulate noises and gestures, until his antics are acknowledged by a newly-arrived female. Some Redcoats, realise that pairing off with a female of their own species allows them to mate for the full duration of the season, and eliminates the need for continual mating displays. This type of Redcoat is known as Cleverous Bastardo, and is discussed in "Bird Portraits - Series 2".

(Copyright: Marriot-Musing Inc. 1973)

o-o-o-0-o-o-o

Back to Home