98 WILD LIFE AND THE CAMERA 



ness, generosity, all these we see in the most 

 humble of birds. There are, in fact, but few traits 

 in man's character that have not their counterpart 

 in birds, and yet you object to what you term with 

 derision " the human side of birds." 



Watch birds during the spring season, and see 

 how the male bird tries by every way in his power to 

 make himself attractive to the object of his affec- 

 tions. If occasion demands and frequently he 

 will search diligently for an occasion he deems it 

 his duty to fight, and thus show off his superior 

 power and strength, just as in the days gone by, 

 men, dressed in all the finery of knighthood, threw 

 down the glove and fought for the maid, whose 

 hand they hoped to win. Watch the male bird's 

 gentleness and gallantry as he offers his partner 

 any chance tit-bit that he may find, and notice well 

 that seldom, if ever, does the one of the gentler 

 sex make any advance. Perhaps you may call 

 attention to the fact that, with birds as with 

 animals, it is the male that has the greater beauty. 

 It is he who makes the show and display. Quite 

 true, but it is not so very long ago that with the 

 human race it was the man who used to adorn his 

 person and endeavour to make himself an object of 

 beauty, and the woman that lacked the adornments. 

 You will still find it so among some of the bar- 

 barous tribes. There must be reason for the male 

 bird having the fine colours ; were the female as 

 conspicuous as the male she would be in greater 

 danger from her enemies, especially during the 

 period of incubation. This alone would be suffi- 

 cient reason for her more quiet dress. But to 



