242 THE HUMAN SIDE OF BIRDS 



hang under its chin exactly like the white bands 

 formerly used by clergymen — hence the name. 

 These interesting tumblers work in teams of six to 

 eight, and may be seen on clear days tumbling, 

 wheeling, soaring, and dropping in the air — doing 

 everything known to the modern aviator, from 

 somersaults to sailing upward suddenly like a sky- 

 rocket, then closing their wings and supporting 

 themselves by a rapid beating of their tails, which 

 suddenly changes into a gliding parachute descent. 

 They open their wings upon nearing the ground, 

 and then either suddenly arise again, or fly away 

 as if by a magic sign, and disappear in the dis- 

 tance. 



The female pheasant is a wanderer, and has no 

 permanent place of abode, except when she has a 

 nest, but the cock is so devoted to his theatre, when 

 once it is established, that the Malays, who thor- 

 oughly understand his ways, take advantage of him 

 in a most ingenious manner. While he is away for 

 food or recreation, they secretly enter his theatre or 

 drawing-room and drive a thin tough bamboo splin- 

 ter, as sharp as a razor, in the middle of the floor. 

 As soon as the actor returns he seens the strange ob- 

 ject and attempts to remove it by pulling with his 

 beak, but it will not come, and finally in despera- 

 tion he wraps his neck around it, and with a des- 



