82 PLUMAGE OF BIRDS. 



the ground, whose males, except those of a few species, 

 are very brilliantly decorated. This is the gallinaceous 

 family, which are an exception to my remark that the 

 handsome birds inhabit trees. But it is only the larger 

 species or genera of this family, such as the pheasant, the 

 turkey, the peacock, the curassow, and the common fowl, 

 whose males are thus gorgeously arrayed. Their colors are 

 evidently intended for their protection in a peculiar way. 

 All the males of these species are endowed with a pro- 

 pensity to ruffle and expand their feathers whenever they 

 are threatened with attack. The boldest animal would 

 be frightened by the sudden expansion of the brilliant 

 plumage of the peacock, and the loud vibrations of his 

 tail-feathers when he places himself in this strange at- 

 titude. A gorgeous spectacle suddenly presented, and so 

 different from anything that is commonly seen, would 

 overawe even the king of beasts. Similar effects in a 

 weaker degree would be produced by the ruffled plumage 

 of the turkey or the pheasant. It is worthy of remark, 

 that in proportion to the brilliancy of the colors is the 

 strength of the impression made upon the sight of the 

 creature that threatens them. The tendency of wild ani- 

 mals to be frightened by such causes is shown by the 

 terror produced in them by the sudden opening of an 

 umbrella. But these brilliant plumes are confined to the 

 larger species of the tribe. Quails, partridges, and grouse 

 are generally colored like the ground, being of a speckled 

 or brownish hue, and are distinguished with difficulty 

 when sitting or standing among the berry-bushes or 

 gleaning their repast in the cornfield. Too small to 

 defend themselves so well as the larger species, their 

 colors are adapted to protect them by concealment, and 

 not by dazzling and alarming their foes. 



