the human standpoint is one of great beauty, after the first 
burst of astonishment has spent itself. His mate is less 
easily moved. Perchance “ familiarity breeds contempt.” 
At any rate it is only after persistent and frequent attempts 
to charm her to his will that success rewards him. 
Those who have the good fortune to be able to make 
frequent visits to the Zoological Gardens in London may, 
with great good fortune, and at rare intervals, have an oppor- 
tunity of witnessing such a display, and of studying in detail 
these wonderful wings. They are wonderful, not merely 
because of the manner of their display, or of their colouring, 
but also because in them we see ornament pushed to its 
furthest limit since, as wings, they have become well-nigh 
useless, and therefore almost dangerous to the well-being of 
their possessors. 
203 
