JPilgers 1980 Calidris melanotos NARL Burrow, Slade 2 July ♂-♀ interactions - a catalog [sc alert-pawn placed later] HERDING - see Myers 27 June 1980 Shooting -to ♂ - will occur as ♀ fly by early in season in early season flocks - ♂ rises off the territory having seen ♀ flock a long way off. ♂ intercepts flock ♂♀ flirt + intercepts directly, boots in flight directly in flight, not going toward them but unskilled anticipating their position. Will occur to single ♀ flying alone. Our notably thing about this is that ♂ will bank away when he reaches his boundary (in contrast to aggressive ♂♀ chases). Also contrasts from ♂-♀ later season chases because ♂ doesn't typically include the aggressive chases he will later on. ♀ reaction is usually to continue on. I think this is how ♂ original got ♀ to settle. Once the ♀ settles the court changes to classic style. Early in their pair interaction he boots once every 5-7 minutes. Classic form: ♂ perched downwind from ♀. Stands on mound with chest inflated, flirt Boon (see below) He turns around as facing ♀ who is feeding on grass. Just before boot he turns sideways, flies downwind, circles around + passes directly over ♀, chest sac throbbing + so low over the grass that his chest grazes the grass in passage. ↓wind ♂♀ ↑boot 45° on his mound