The Game-birds and Rails 



409 



of plumes does not represent the tail, as is popularly 

 supposed, but is made up of the feathers of the 

 lower part of the back and 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 huge, outspread 

 shield. This shield is properly called the " train " ; 

 the true tail lies behind it and acts as a support. 

 When the bird is about to display, the " train " 

 feathers are 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 

 persuade 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 backwards, 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, the quills of which rattle like the pattering 

 of rain upon leaves. Often this movement is followed 

 by a loud scream. 



" When the train is fully erect, it will be noticed that it lies so far forward that the 

 bird's head and neck appear as if rising from its base. In a side view the whole body, from 

 the front of the wings backwards, appears to lie behind the train." 



This bird is a native of India, where it is held in great reverence by the Hindus, and 



Photo by the Duchess of Bedford. 

 NEST OP BKUSH-TUEKEY AT WOBURN ABBEY. 



This is made by several birds, of decaying vegetable matter, 



in which the eggs are laid aDd left to hatch - 



Photo by C. Reid] 



TURKEY COCK AND HEN. 

 The curious " tassel " depending from the breast is found in no other bird. 



[Wishaw, N.B. 



52 



