190 THE MINDS AND MANNERS 



Falconry. We cannot do otherwise than regard the ancient 

 sport of falconry as a high tribute to the mental powers of the 

 genus Falco. The hunting falcons were educated into the sport 

 of hawking, just as a boy is trained by his big brother to shoot 

 quail on the wing. The birds were furnished with hoods and 

 jesses, and other garnitures. They were carried on the hand 

 of the huntsman, and launched at unlucky herons and bitterns 

 as an intelligent living force. The hunting falcon entered into 

 the sport like a true sportsman, and he played the game ac- 

 cording to the rules. The sport was cruel, but it was politely 

 exciting, and it certainly was a fine exhibition of bird intelli- 

 gence. Part of that intelligence was instinctive, but the most 

 of it was acquired, by educational methods. 



Outstanding Traits in a Few Groups of Birds. In 

 creatures as much lacking in visible expression as most birds are, 

 it is difficult to detect the emotions and temperaments that 

 prevail in the various groups. Only a few can be cited with 

 certain confidence. 



Vanity Displays in Birds. The males of a few species of 

 birds have been specially equipped by nature for the display of 

 their natural vanity. Anyone who has seen a Zoological Park 

 peacock working overtime on a Sunday afternoon in summer 

 when the crowds of visitors are greatest, solely to display the 

 ocellated splendor of his tail plumage, surely must conclude 

 that the bird is well aware of the glories of his tail, and also 

 that he positively enjoys showing off to admiring audiences. 



These displays are not casual affairs in the ordinary course 

 of the day's doings. It is a common thing for one of our birds 

 to choose a particularly conspicuous spot, preferably on an ele- 

 vated terrace, from which his display will carry farthest to the 

 eyes of the crowd. Even if the bird were controlled by the will 

 of a trainer for the purpose of vanity display, the exhibition 

 could not possibly be more perfect. Like a good speaker on a 

 rostrum, the bird faces first in one direction and then in another, 

 and occasionally with a slow and stately movement it com- 



