ARGUS POLYPLECTRON. 153 



with yellowish-white: the tail-feathers are dull 

 brown, varied with small spots of yellow .ochre : 

 at one inch and a quarter from the tips of the 

 upper range, and one and three quarters from 

 those of the lower* are two shining spots of an 

 oval form, united one to the other, and separated 

 by the shafts : the centres of these spots are green, 

 reflecting brilliant hues of blue and purple, but 

 not so splendid as on the wings and back ; they 

 .are surrounded by a circle of black, which is again 

 inclosed in another of dull grey of twice the 

 breadth of the black : the upper mandible of the 

 beak is red at its base, and black at its tip ; the 

 under is yellow, tipped with brown : the eyes are 

 encircled with bright grey feathers ; the irides are 

 brilliant yellow : the feet are black, as are the 

 spurs j the claws grey. 



The female has the plumage less brilliant, and 

 the tail shorter: the feet are dull grey, and in 

 place of the lower spur is situated a prominent 

 callosity. The young have the plumage entirely 

 of an earthy-grey, with large spots, and small lines 

 of a brown colour: after the first moult the plumage 

 becomes less irregular, and the position of the 

 spots on the wings and tail becomes visible ; at the 

 second they become more determined, and possess 

 the fine golden-blue tint, with green reflections; 

 but it is not till ; fter the third moult, which takes 

 place at two years of age, that all the colours are 

 produced in perfection. 



In a natural state this species is not very wild ; 

 it becomes readily accustomed to confinement, and 



