104 THE STORY OF BIRD-LIFE. 



have fallen in love with the same sweetheart, 

 whose modesty prevents her from selecting be- 

 tween them." 



The pinnated grouse is not the only bird 

 which has developed naked patches of coloured 

 skin for the purposes of display. 



The display of brilliantly-coloured plumage 

 must be considered now. Of such exhibitions 

 probably that of the peacock's "train" is most 

 familiar, and must have been witnessed by many 

 of my readers. 



This train, it should be remarked, is not, as is 

 popularly supposed, the tail of the peacock. It 

 is made up of the feathers of the lower part of 

 the back, and of the upper tail coverts. These 

 gradually increase in length from before back- 

 wards, culminating in the long and exquisite 

 feathers which form the circumference of the 

 train. The real tail lies behind this and acts as 

 a support. 



These train feathers can be slowly and gently 

 raised till the well-known fan-shaped glory of 

 green and gold and blue is exposed to the fullest 

 possible extent. 



Watch the bird trying to do his best to per- 

 suade his chosen what a handsome fellow he is. 

 He first places himself more or less in front of 

 her, but at some little distance off; and then, 

 watching his opportunity, walks rapidly back- 

 wards, going faster and faster and faster till, 

 arrived within a foot, he suddenly, like a flash, 

 turns round and displays to the full his truly 

 gorgeous vestments. This turning movement is 

 accompanied by a violent shaking of the train, 



