Chap. XIV.] TASTE FOR THE BEAUTIFUL. 107 



crossbill, and nearly killed a goldfinch. On the other 

 hand, he has observed that some birds, when first intro- 

 duced into his aviary, fly toward the species which re- 

 semble them most in color, and settle by their sides. 



As male birds display with so much care their fine 

 plumage and other ornaments in the presence of the fe- 

 males, it is obviously probable that these appreciate the 

 beauty of their suitors. It is, however, difficult to obtain 

 direct evidence of their capacity to appreciate beauty. 

 When birds gaze at themselves in a looking-glass ( of 

 which many instances have been recorded) we cannot feel 

 sure that it is not from jealousy at a supposed rival, 

 though this is not the conclusion of some observers. In 

 other cases it is difficult to distinguish between mere curi- 

 osity and admiration. It is perhaps the former feeling 

 which, as stated by Lord Lilford, 14 attracts the Ruff 

 strongly toward any bright object, so that, in the Ionian 

 Islands, it " will dart down to a bright-colored handker- 

 chief, regardless of repeated shots." The common lark is 

 drawn down from the sky, and is caught in large numbers, 

 by a small mirror made to move and glitter in the sun. 

 Is it admiration or curiosity which leads the magpie, 

 raven, and some other birds, to steal and secrete bright 

 objects, such as silver articles or jewels? 



Mr. Gould states that certain humming-birds decorate 

 the outside of their nests " with the utmost taste ; they 

 instinctively fasten thereon beautiful pieces of flat lichen, 

 'he larger pieces in the middle, and the smaller on the part 

 attached to the branch. Now and then a pretty feather 

 is intertwined or fastened to the outer sides, the stem 

 being always so placed that the feather stands out beyond 

 the surface." The best evidence, however, of a taste for 

 the beautiful is afforded by the three genera of Australian 

 bower-birds already mentioned. Their bowers (see Fig. 



14 The ' Ibis,' vol. ii. I860, p. 344. 



