LIST OF COLOURED PLATES ix 



Plate LXXXII. MALAY ARGUS PHEASANT Argusianus argus (Linnaeus) 



Painted by A, Thorburn. Facing page 1 14 



This great pheasant lives a solitary Hfe deep in the wild jungles of the Malay Peninsula. 

 The central tail-feathers measure six feet in length, while the secondary feathers of the wing 

 are enormously lengthened and enlarged for the purpose of display in courtship. The cocks 

 have no spurs, but trust to escape from danger by flight. Argus Pheasants are polygamous, 

 and the cocks take no share in hatching the eggs or rearing the young birds. 



Plate LXXXIII. EVOLUTION OF THE EYES ON THE WING-FEATHERS 



OF THE ARGUS PHEASANT .... Facingpage 150 



Painted by H. Gronvold. 



The gradual development of the ocelli or eyed spots on the secondary wing-feathers is 

 beautifully shown by the successive feathers themselves. Starting as a slight irregularity in 

 the buff markings, the next stage shows two of these lines approaching and enclosing a dull 

 reddish-brown stain. This takes form roughly circular, acquires a frame, and finally evolves 

 into the marvellous eyes, large, round, illuminated from one side, shaded, so that when the 

 feather is slightly vibrated they appear to revolve swiftly, like brilliant balls suspended in 

 darkened sockets. These are all unquestionably brought into play in courtship, but the object 

 of the delicate detail is a mystery, for it certainly does not affect the hen directly, either by 

 artistic design or harmonious colour. 



Plate LXXXIV. BORNEAN ARGUS PHEASANT Argusianus grayi Elliot 



Painted by A. Thorburn, Facingpage 132 



The Bornean Argus has the white of the plumage clearer, and the breast is bright, rusty 

 red instead of the dull chestnut of the Malay bird. The blue face and the red legs and feet 

 are the brightest colours on the bird, but the plumage is a wonderfully harmonious combination 

 of buff, white, brown and grey. When the wings are full spread the radiating lines of eyes 

 appear as if illuminated from above, and when the bird vibrates its plumage, all appear to revolve 

 in their sockets — perhaps the most remarkable sight to be found in the world of bird life. 



Plate LXXXV. DOUBLE-SPOTTED ARGUS PHEASANT . . Facingpage 152 



Painted by H. Grdnvola. 



A. Primary feather of the Malay Argus Pheasant, Argusianus argus. 



B. Primary feather of Double-spotted Argus Pheasant, Argusianus bipunctatus (Wood). 



This feather differs from all other Argus wing-feathers in having dotted zones on both webs. 

 It is in the collection of the British Museum, but we have no clue as to discoverer or locality. 



PLUMAGES OF BORNEAN ARGUS PHEASANT 



1. Chick in down. 



2. Male in juvenile plumage. 



Plate LXXXVI. INDIAN PEAFOWL Pavo cristattis Linnaeus . . Facingpage 162 



Painted by C. R. Knight. 



Peafowl have been familiar to mankind ever since the Phoenicians brought them from India 

 to the Pharaohs of Egypt. Throughout history we find them praised for beauty, accused of 

 vanity and dreaded by the superstitious ; while they, on their part, accept man and captivity 

 with the disdain and unadaptability of the aloof race of cats. 



In the colour of their plumage they vie with the most gorgeous of birds, and in their courtship 

 and display they afford one of the most remarkable sights in the world of life. No matter how 

 often we see these birds, we should never allow ourselves to become blind to the marvels which 

 they present. 



