ANIMAL FASHIONS 



WAEM spring days bring other changes than 

 thawing snowbanks and the swelling buds 

 and leaves, which seem to grow almost visibly. It 

 is surprising how many of the wild folk meet 

 the spring with changed appearance — ^beautiful, 

 fantastic or ugly to us; all, perhaps, beautiful to 

 them and to their mates. 



As a rule we find the conditions which exist 

 among ourselves reversed among the animals; 

 the male "blossoms forth like the rose," while 

 the female's sombre :winter fur or feathers are 

 reduplicated only by a thinner coat for summer. 

 The "spring opening" of the great classes of 

 birds and animals is none the less interesting be- 

 cause its styles are not set by Parisian modistes. 



The most gorgeous display of all is to be found 

 among the birds, the peacock leading in con- 

 spicuousness and self -consciousness. What a con- 

 trast to the dull earthy-hued little hen, for whose 

 slightest favour he neglects food to raise his Ar- 

 gus-eyed fan, clattering his quill castanets and 

 screaming challenges to his rivals ! He will even 

 fight bloody battles with invading suitors; and, 

 after all, failure may be the result. Imagine the 

 feelings of two superb birds fighting over a win- 

 some browny, to see her — as I have done — ^walk 



105 



