The Wit of the Wild 



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they may easily recognize one another in the 

 air the only time (except as between mated 

 couples) when there is any need for such recog- 

 nition marks. This badge is a large patch of 

 white bordering the tail. It is near the end on 

 each side, and slides out of sight underneath 

 the central quills when the bird is quiet, but is 

 conspicuously displayed when the tail is fanned 

 out in flight. This is also a badge of the male 

 sex, for in the hens these outer tail-feathers are 

 cream-colored and not nearly so plain to view 

 another indication that among birds the female 

 chooses her mate rather than is chosen ; it is 

 consequently more important that she should be 

 able to recognize and follow him than that he 

 should always know her. 



In all birds the spring molt is followed by the 

 brightest plumage of the year. Tennyson's 

 " livelier iris comes upon the burnished dove," is 

 good ornithology. In many, moreover, tempo- 

 rary nuptial finery is put on in the way of 

 novel and sometimes gorgeous colors and frills, 

 that disappear after the breeding-season. Our 

 goldfinch and bobolink are familiar local ex- 



$ 170 &* 



