138 



PHEASANTS ADAPTED FOR THE AVIARY. 



female, and for no other purpose. "We must conclude that this is the case, as the 

 primary wing feathers are never displayed, and the haU-and-socket ornaments are 

 not exhibited ia fuU perfection, except when the male assumes the attitude of 

 courtship. The Argus pheasant does not possess hrUliant colours, so that his success 

 in courtship appears to have depended on the great size of his plumes, and on the 

 elaboration of the most elegant patterns. Many will declare that it is utterly 

 incredible that a female bird should be able to appreciate fine shading and exquisite 

 patterns. It is, undoubtedly, a marvellous fact that she should possess this almost 

 human degree of taste, though perhaps she admires the general effect rather than 

 each separate detail. He who thinks that he can safely gauge the discrimination 

 and taste of the lower animals, may deny that the female Argus pheasant can 

 appreciate such refined beauty ; but he will then be compelled to admit that the 

 extraordinary attitudes assumed by the male during the act of courtship, by which 

 the wonderful beauty of his plumage is fully displayed, are purposeless ; and this 

 is a conclusion which I for one will never admit." 



The illustration, by Mr. T. W. Wood, which forms the frontispiece to this 

 volume, speaks for itself; its accuracy of detail is remarkable, and I have much 

 pleasure in being accessory to the publication of the first correct delineation of the 

 display of the Argus pheasant that has been produced. 





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