92 WILD NEIGHBORS CHAP, 
which the tail-feathers are greatly prolonged, modi- 
fied and highly ornamented in the males, appar- 
ently for the same purpose. Such, for example, 
are the trogons, and particularly Guatemala’s 
national bird, the quesal, which opens and curls 
and displays the long emerald plumes that descend 
from his tail in a most magnificent manner for 
the benefit of his plainly dressed mate. Ilow 
curious are the tails of some birds of paradise! 
The humming-birds offer similar examples: but 
here it is the curious shape of a pair or so of 
prolonged rectrices rather than their color; and 
one may guess a reason for this when he watches 
a hummer on the wing, for so exceedingly rapid is 
the movement of the wings as it poises before a 
flower, or in front of its demure little mate, that 
it seems only a jewel flaming in a mist of scintil- 
lant light. No particular ornament or pattern 
of color is or could be visible, but above it, raised 
and steady, are the long tail-feathers, straight, 
curved, emarginate, thread-like or variously rack- 
eted, which declare its identity like a badge to the 
knowing eyes of the other bird. These are stand- 
ards — recognition marks—in shape as well as 
color; and they signal the language of courtship 
at the same time, —an ornithological flirtation. 
A reminder of facts like these —especially as 
regards the mammals — called forth recently some 
suggestive remarks from Dr. E. Bonavia, of Eng- 
land, as follows: 
