BIRDS. 45 



distinct emotion. In this instance defiance, together with a certain amount of terror, 

 enters into the composition of the excitement manifested. The assumption by the 

 bird of this remarkable pose was first observed by the writer in connection with the 

 chance opening of an umbrella in its presence. The necessary domestic parapluie 

 would appear to exercise a very awe-inspiring influence upon ferae naturae generally. 

 We have a dim boyhood's recollection of a story in which a royal Bengal tiger was put 

 to ignominious flight, when on the point of making its fatal spring, by a lady who had 

 the presence of mind to suddenly unfurl her umbrella in the animal's face. In the 

 case of the Podargus it possibly mistook the offending article for some huge form of 

 bat, somewhat resembling, though far surpassing in size, the Flying Foxes, Pteropi, 

 which share with it its natural haunts, but whose too familiar approach it would 

 undoubtedly resent. However this may be, though familiarity in the long run bred 

 contempt, for a long while the production and sudden opening of an umbrella elicited 

 a like emotional manifestation, one of which occasions was turned to good account in 

 securing the photograph reproduced. 



Some of the most remarkable of the many metamorphic phases exhibited by these 

 two Podargi, in which the erection of the feathers was a conspicuous feature, was 

 manifested in the presence of a rain shower. On such occasions, humouring the birds 

 most plainly suggested desires, they were usually allowed to enjoy a shower bath. 

 Then, whether clinging to the perch or to their owner's wrist, they would pass through 

 the most extraordinary evolutions. Every feather would stand on end, imparting to 

 the birds the largest possible dimensions. The wings, separately or collectively, would 

 be elevated or depressed, the bird meanwhile balancing its body first on one side and 

 then on the other in order to expose all parts to the welcome rain, and even hanging 

 head downwards to accomplish its purpose. Satisfactory photographs during falling 

 rain, and of such excitedly restless subjects, in order to record some of the more 

 bizarre attitudes assumed by these birds while enjoying their shower bath, proved 

 somewhat difficult of achievement. A few of the most successful shots, out of 

 many attempts, reproduced in Plate X., will communicate some idea, however, of 

 their quaint appearance. In the last but one on the list of these figures, No. 9, head, 

 wings, and tail appear to be mixed up in the most inextricable confusion. 



A jocose friend having suggested to the author the peculiar fitness with which 

 these " Rain bath " photographs would lend themselves to a humorous interpretation, 

 we have indulged his whim to the extent of supplementing the formal title by a 

 second, with which, in harmony with textual renderings of the respective figures, the 



