BEAUTY OF PLUMAGE. 45 



It seemed impatient, hopping about without 

 withdrawing its gaze from the mirror, uttering 

 the usual cawing notes, but with evident sur- 

 prise that the reflected figure (or, as he seemed 

 to regard it, his opponent) imitated so closely 

 all his actions, and was as watchful as himself. 

 There was, how^ever, on his part, no indication 

 of combativeness by any elevation of the feathers, 

 nor was any irritation displayed at not being 

 able to approach nearer to the supposed new- 

 comer from his own native land. His attention 

 was directed to the mirror during the time it re- 

 mained before him, but when removed he went 

 quietly and composed himself upon the upper 

 perch, as if nothing had excited him. 



One of the best opportunities of seeing this 

 splendid bird in all its beauty of action, as well 

 as display of plumage, is early in the morn- 

 ing, when he makes his toilet ; the beautiful 

 sub-alar plumage is then thrown out and cleaned 

 from any spot that may sully its purity, by being 

 passed gently through the bill ; the short, choco- 

 late-coloured wings are extended to the utmost, 

 and he keeps them in a steady flapping motion, 

 as if in imitation of their use in flight, at the 

 same time raising up the delicate long feathers 

 over the back, which are spread in a chaste and 

 elegant manner, floating like films in the am- 



