140 



SUBKINGDOM VERTEBKATA. 



feeding in flocks of ten or twelve females to one male. As 



the female leaves her nest, 

 her cackling is answered 

 by the male, and thus she 

 is guided to her com- 

 panions. 



Phasianidse. The 

 Pheasant is indigenous to 

 Asia, but some species 

 have become naturalized 

 in the parks of European 

 castles. The Argus has 

 its secondaries, which are 

 three times the length of 

 the primaries, ornament- 

 ed wiRf** rows of richly- 

 tinted "eyes." Its tail 

 has two feathers, so long 

 that, while the bird is 

 only the size of a common 

 fowl, its extreme length is 

 five feet. 



Pavonidae. The Pea- 

 cock's tail- coverts are dec- 

 orated with " eyes/' The 

 true tail-feathers are 

 short, un variegated, and 

 serve only as a support 

 for the so-called "tail." 



Numididae. The 

 Guinea-fowl came from 

 Africa. Its harsh, ring- 

 ing cry of camaC) camac, 

 makes the bird very useful 

 in the poultry yard as a 

 protection from crows and 



Nurmda mdeagris, Guinea-fowl. . hawks. 



Paw cristatus, Peacock. 

 Fig. 235. 



