hope—if for the moment, we may accord to them human 
standards of intention—of arousing kindred emotions in their 
mates. 
Darwin was the first to draw attention to these curious 
displays. Which, on the evidence then available, seemed 
always to be made, and only to be made, by birds having 
wings conspicuously coloured. It seemed as though the 
possessors of such wings were conscious of their beauty, and 
so displayed them that nothing of their glory should be 
missed. 
The sun-bittern affords a case in point. This bird, a 
native of Brazil, is soberly, but very beautifully coloured 
when at rest; its plumage presenting an indescribable 
mixture of black, grey, brown, bay, and white; blended 
in the form of spots, bars, and mottlings. But during times 
of sexual excitement it will spread out its wings in the form 
of a great fan, encircling the long, slender neck. And in 
this position they present a very conspicuous appearance, 
taking the form of beautifully graded bands of black, white, 
and bright grey, forming patterns which vanish the moment 
the primaries fall into their place behind the quills of the 
forearm. But when thus spread the bird seems to find the 
greatest delight in displaying their chaste splendour before 
his mate. He seems to spread his wings just because he is 
conscious of their beauty when thus opened out. 
198 
