THE REGENT-BIRD. 95 



their eggs, and allow them to be hatched out by the 

 heat engendered by decomposition. Each successive 

 year they merely add to the heap enough fresh matter 

 to answer the purpose of hatching a new setting. This 

 is a more extraordinary instinct than that of the 

 ostrich which deposits her eggs in the hot sand. 



THE REGENT-BIRD. 



To return for a little to the bright plumaged birds, 

 we see the wonderful provision which the great Crea- 

 tor has made to prevent their extinction. Take for 

 illustration that wonderfully beautiful specimen the 

 regent-bird. 



That man may not be tempted to destroy the female 

 she is a very plain gray bird. There is very little 

 attraction for the eye in looking at her. The male 

 bird of one year old is just as plain as the female. 

 The only way by which he can be known from the 

 female, is that about one-half his beak has turned a 

 light yellow. Of course this cannot be seen by the 

 sportsman or bright plumage seeker, and he sees no 

 reason why he should shoot him. At two years old 

 the male bird has changed somewhat, but not much. 

 There are some yellow spots on his wings. At three 

 years he has changed a good deal more, but it is not 

 until his fourth year that he reaches his great beauty, 



