422 



The Bird 



hidden by the overhanging train of gorgeous plumes, 

 which are in reaUty the upper tail-coverts. 



The same thing is true of the peacock, whose real tail, 

 while it has the power of spreading, consists solely of 



Fig. 338. — Train of Peacork spread. 



short, dull, brownish feathers, acting as a support to the 

 glorious train of ocellated plumes which springs from the 

 lower back. Indeed the tail-feathers of a turkey-cock 

 are far more beautiful than the real tail of a peacock. 

 This is especially evident when, after a peacock has moulted 



