3i8 The Bird 



whole, exhibits, or of the beautiful plumes which, as 

 in the case of the Snowy Egret, are assumed only during 

 the season of courtship. The great majorit}^ are now 

 explained either as decorations to charm the female, or 

 as mere by-products of the vitality of the bird, according 

 as to whether one believes in a greater or less degree of 

 aesthetic appreciation among birds. When we consider 

 the nervous, high-strung natures of birds and realize with 

 what ease they are thrown into what seems a kind of 

 trance, it seems unnecessary to credit them with too great 

 an appreciation of pure beauty. The repetition of many 

 similar bright spots, as, for example, the eyes of a pea- 

 cock's train, may well serve to attract and hold the atten- 

 tion of the female; while the antics and sounds which 

 many birds bring into play in courtship may appeal in 

 some more directly psychic way than we know. That 

 birds do have a certain appreciation of beauty and har- 

 mony there can be little doubt. When we remember the 

 jarring discords and clashing tints in w^hich a human 

 savage takes delight under the name of music and beauty, 

 we should be very willing to admit some degree of 

 appreciation to the demure Impeyan Pheasant hen which 

 chooses among her suitors, clad each in hues such as 

 artist could never imitate; or the fair Hermit Thrush, 

 which selects a singer from the incomparable choir of her 

 serenaders. I believe that future field study and experi- 

 ments with caged birds will reveal much that we do not 

 suspect in regard to the causes of coloration. 



