Tails 



421 



the classic form of a lyre; while twelve of the central 

 feathers, so scantily barbed that their stems are plainly 

 visible, hold positions corresponding to the strings of 

 that ancient instrument. The two elongated middle 

 feathers cross each other and curve outward, adding still 

 more to the decorative effect of 

 this strangely beautiful member. 

 Naturall}' we find that these 

 birds are better runners than 

 fliers. The females lack the or- 

 namental tail. 



If we judge from analogy 

 with the human race, when an 

 inordinate amount of ostenta- 

 tious show is noticeable among 

 birds, we occasionally find that 

 it is, in a sense, a sham displa}" ; 

 although the analogy ceases when 

 we find that such a case among 

 birds is no less interesting than 

 where the phenomenon is reall}" 

 what it appears to be. Upon 

 seeing a specimen of the beau- 

 tiful trogon commonly called 

 the Quezal, the involuntary ex- 

 clamation is, ''What a magnificent tail!" And no wonder; 

 for, while the bird is only about the size of a small dove, 

 behind it, for three and a half feet, there stream long, 

 iridescent green plumes, soft as down, brilliant as emeralds. 

 Yet the true tail is a short, squarish affair, completely 



Fig. 337. ^Tail-coverts of Quezal. 



