188 PHEASANTS ADAPTED FOR THE AVIARY. 
female, and for no other purpose. We must conclude that this is the case, as the 
primary wing feathers are never displayed, and the ball-and-socket ornaments are 
not exhibited in full perfection, except when the male assumes the attitude of 
courtship. The Argus pheasant does not possess brilliant colours, so that his success 
in courtship appears to have depended on the great size of his plumes, and on the 
elaboration of the most elegant patterns. Many will declare that it is utterly 
‘ineredible that a female bird should be able to appreciate fine shading and exquisite 
patterns. It is, undoubtedly, a marvellous fact that she should possess this almost 
human degree of taste, though perhaps she admires the general effect rather than 
each separate detail. He who thinks that he can safely gauge the discrimination 
and taste of the lower animals, may deny that the female Argus pheasant can 
appreciate such refined beauty; but he will then be compelled to admit that the 
extraordinary attitudes assumed by the male during the act of courtship, by which 
the wonderful beauty of his plumage is fully displayed, are purposeless; and this 
is a conclusion which I for one will never admit.” 
The illustration, by Mr. T. W. Wood, which forms the frontispiece to this 
volume, speaks for itself; its accuracy of detail is remarkable, and I have much 
pleasure in being accessory to the publication of the first correct delineation of the 
display of the Argus pheasant that has been produced. 
oT 
\ Ny) f 
