OF WILD ANIMALS 191 



pletely revolves on its axis for the benefit of those in the rear. 

 "Vain as a peacock" is by no means an unjustifiable compar- 

 ison. 



Plumage displays are indulged in by turkeys, the blue bird of 

 paradise, the greater and lesser birds of paradise, the sage grouse 

 and pinnated grouse, ruffed grouse, golden pheasant and argus 

 pheasant. 



On the whole, we may fairly set down vanity as one of the 

 well defined emotions in certain birds, and probably possessed 

 by the males in many species which have not been provided by 

 nature with the means to display it conspicuously. 



Materials for Study. In seeking means by which to 

 study the mental and temperamental traits of wild birds and 

 mammals, the definite and clearly cut manifestations are so 

 few in kind that we are glad to seize upon everything available. 

 Of the visible evidences, pugnacity and the fighting habit are 

 valuable materials, because they are visible. Much can be 

 learned from the fighting weakness or strength of animals and 

 men. 



In our great collections of birds drawn from all the land areas 

 of the globe, our bird men see much fighting. Mr. Crandall 

 has prepared for me in a condensed form an illuminating col- 

 lection of facts regarding 



Pugnacity in Captive Birds 



1. Most species do more or less competitive fighting for 

 nesting sites or mates, especially: 



Gallinaceous birds, — many of which fight furiously 



for mates; 

 The Ruff, or Fighting Snipe {Machetes pugnax), — 



very pugnacious for mates; 

 House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) fight for nesting 



places and mates; and 

 Some Waterfowl, especially swans and geese, fight for 



nesting places. 



2. Most species which do not depend chiefly upon conceal- 



