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organs. The integumentary covering varies as considerably 

 within the limits of the bird class as in that of the mammalia. 

 Thus, we have the uniform hair-like feathers of some struthious 

 birds and the dense fur-like covering of the scale-winged 

 penguin and other aquatic forms ; while the same organs produce 

 the porcupine quills of the cassowary, the soft down and bristles 

 of nestlings, the horse-hair tufts pendent from the breast of the 

 male turkey, the beautiful wing appendages of the birds of 

 paradise, tails of the humming birds, the crests of the cockatoo, 

 peacock, and toucan, and other variations of plumage. Perhaps 

 the most beautiful examples of all variations of occasional or 

 seasonal plumage are the loose slender decomposed feathers 

 characteristic of the nuptial dress of the egret-herons. This 

 beautiful race will soon become exterminated in South America 

 — it has already been driven out of Britain — if mercenary man 

 be not restrained from the ruthless slaughter of the parent birds, 

 leaving the young fledgelings to perish of hunger, in order that 

 thoughtless fashionable feathered women may deck themselves 

 with so-called "aigrettes." I say thoughtless women, because I 

 honestly believe that very few members of my sex would purchase 

 and wear such dainty plumes merely for ornament if they really 

 know how they were obtained. 



Of the various stages following on the primary assumption 

 by the highly modified reptilian ancestors of the true bird group 

 of a simple rudimentary covering of down, or fur-like feathers,. 

 we are, and may ever be, entirely ignorant. 



But the subject of the origin and development of the coloura- 

 tion of the plumage of birds is one of extreme interest. The 

 views of Mr. A. E. Wallace on this question differ considerably 

 from those of Dr. Darwin, who originally maintained that all 

 brilliancy of colouring resulted from the continuous and conscious 

 selection of the handsomest males by the females, thus producing 

 a succession of bright-coloured offspring. It is, however, con- 

 tended that such voluntary selection is but rarely exercised, and 

 wouldfurther be neutralised by the fact that : — 



" There swims no goose so grey but soon or late 

 She finds some honest gander for a mate." 

 If the poet's view be the correct one, it is obvious that the less 

 brilliant individuals would be at no disadvantage, and would leave 

 numerous descendants to perpetuate their sobriety of colouring. 

 To Mr. Wallace's theory that the beauty and brilliancy of the 

 plumage depends upon the superabundant vitality, there can be 

 no such objection. For it necessarily follows that the brightest 



