THE GAME-BIRDS AND RAILS 23 
of plumes docs not represent the tail, as is popularly 
supposed, but is made up of the feathers of the 
lower part of the back and the upper tail-coverts. 
These gradually increase in length from before-back- 
wards, culminating in the long and exquisite feathers 
which form the circumference of the huge, outspread 
shield. This shield is properly called the “train”; 
the true tail lies behind it and acts as a support. 
When the bird is about to display, the “ train” 
feathers are slowly and gently raised till the well- 
known fan-shaped glory of green and gold and blue 
is exposed to the fullest possible extent. 
“Watch the bird trying to do his best to 
persuade his chosen what a handsome fellow he is. 
He first places himself more or less in front of her, 
but at some little distance off; and then, watching 
his opportunity, walks rapidly backwards, going faster 
and faster and faster, till, arrived within a foot, he 
suddenly, like a flash, turns round and displays to 
the full his truly gorgeous vestments. This turning 
movement is accompanied by a violent shaking of NEST OF BRUSH-TURKEY 
the train, the quills of which rattle like the pattering This is made by several birds, of decaying vegetable matter, 
of rain upon leaves. Often this movement is followed in which the eggs are laid and left to hatch 
by a loud scream. 
“When the train is fully erect, it will be noticed that it lies so far forward that the 
bird’s head and neck appear as if rising from its base. In a side view the whole body, from 
the front of the wings backwards, appears to lie behind the train.” 
This bird is a native of India, where it is held in great reverence by the Hindus, and 
As f ‘ 
Photo by the Duchess of Bedford 
a 
Photo by C. Reid) 
TURKEY COCK AND HEN 
The curious * tassel’? depending from the breast ts found in no other bird 
