LANGUAGE IN OTHER ANIMALS. 295 



cowardice, unequal strength in combatants, confession of 

 weakness or desire for safety, sense of guilt and shame, or 

 fear. 



It is not surprising, then, that it should frequently be 

 difficult or impossible for man to be sure that his interpreta- 

 tion or construction of the conduct or look of this or that 

 animal is the correct one ; and that there should arise even 

 among those who have studied animal language, including 

 eminent authors, irreconcilable differences of opinion as to 

 the meaning to be attached to given sounds, attitudes, or 

 actions. 



A familiar instance or illustration of such difficulties 

 and differences is to be found in the case of the beautiful 

 peacock, which is so usually regarded as an emblem of 

 man's self-conceit, self-love, vanity, or pride. Its dignified, 

 strutting gait ; its slow, deliberate movements ; its ex- 

 panded tail may signify or arise from the feelings in 

 question. There may be pride in the possession of its 

 personal adornments ; a consciousness of their power to 

 fascinate ; a knowledge of the means of displaying them to 

 the greatest advantage. 



The turkey cock is another unfortunate bird, whose 

 strut and gobble have led it to be considered an emblem of 

 human consequentiality, as it is so often manifested in civic 

 Bumbledom. There is, however, as little proof of the 

 existence of such a feeling of self-importance in the turkey 

 as of personal vanity in the peacock. I do not say that, in 

 either case, these emotions do not exist. All that I contend 

 for is that there is nothing approaching the character of 

 proof or demonstration either for or against the supposition 

 of their existence, and that man, therefore, may either be 

 right or wrong in his interpretation of the meaning or 

 motive of the strut of the peacock or turkey cock. 



White regards the parade walk of the Gallinacese as 

 probably a mere peculiarity of gait, having even no sexual 

 significance. The * swagger ' of the crow or daw, like the 

 strut of the peacock, may be a mere habit of body, un- 

 associated with any feeling akin to what we call pride or 

 vanity (White). In other words, 'showing off' personal 



