Mind in Animals. 379 



sensitive to ridicule. We knew of a cat that was quite con- 

 scious if spoken of in a disparaging manner, and testified his 

 disapprobation by arching his tail, holding himself very stiff 

 indeed, and marching slowly out of the room. 



There is, however, another form of pride which is often to 

 be seen among the lower animals, but more especially among 

 birds notable for gaudy or abundant plumage. This is the 

 pride which manifests itself in personal appearance. Vanity 

 is the name which is currently applied to this form of pride. 

 Those who have observed a peacock in all the glory of his 

 starry train will recognize the intense pride he feels at his 

 own splendor. This display of his magnificent train is not 

 for the purpose of attracting the homage of his plainly- 

 attired mates solely, but seems to be intended to evoke 

 the admiration of human beings as well. Not even the 

 homage of birds, whom he regards his inferiors, is to be 

 despised. 



We have seen him, with his train fully spread, displaying 

 his grandeur around a dozen or more barn-yard fowls, and 

 apparently as satisfied with the effect he produced, as he 

 stalked majestically among them, as if he had been sur- 

 rounded by his own kith and kin. Then there is the turkey. 

 No movements are more grotesque than his. See him as he 

 struts about in his nuptial plumage, and yet no bird, notwith- 

 standing the ludicrousness of his behavior, surveys himself 

 with greater complacency. The whidah-bird, or widow- 

 bird, as it is often called, exhibits this trait of character in its 

 highest development. He is wonderfully proud of his beau- 

 tiful tail, and, as long as he wears it, loses no opportunity of 

 displaying it to every person who visits his cage. But when 

 the moulting season has arrived, and he has taken on the 

 plain, tailless attire of his mate, a change as great has come 

 over his manner, and, instead of exhibiting himself in all his 

 pride and glory, he mopes listlessly and stupidly about, and 

 seemingly ashamed of his mean condition. In all these 

 instances the character of pride in personal appearance is 



