348 



The Bird 



In the woodcock we find the vane of the three outer 

 primaries of the wing remarkably narrowed and stiffened; 

 probaljly a direct acUiptation for the production of the 

 high, wliisthng sound which plays so important a part 

 in its aerial courtship performance. 



Fig. 279. — Wing ornaments of Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise. 



As upon all other parts of the l)ird's body, we find 

 beautiful decorations upon the wings — inexplicable unless 

 we are willing to credit the females with appreciation of, 

 or at least a reaction to, these beauties. Otherwise we 

 know not the uses of the brilliant wing-mirrors of ducks, 

 or the scarlet wax-like tips of the Cedar-bird's feathers. 



