20 



FORM AND HABlT THE TAIL. 



Tliis singular habit is practiced by numerous species 

 of Motniots, ranging from Mexico to Brazil. It is tliere- 

 fore of undoubted age, and we can only speculate u]Kjn 

 its use and origin. Young birds from the nest, reared 



Fig. 11. — Central tail-feathers of Motmot {Momotns svhrufi'seens], sLowiDg 

 newly grown feathers (at the left) and results of self-inflicted mutilation. 



in coniinement where they were isolated from othci-s of 

 their kind, trimmed their tail-feathers soon after they 

 were grown.* 



The habit, therefore, is inherited, but tlie mutilation, 

 although it has doubtless been practiced for countless 

 generations, has not become inherent, unless we consider 

 the constriction in the vane of the feathei' at the jilace 

 where it is to be trimmed an indication of inheritance. 



The Motmot gesticulates with its tail in a remarkable 

 manner, swingino- it from side to side, so that it suo's;ests 

 the ])endulum of a clock, or sweeping it about in circdes 

 with a movement which reminds one of a bandmaster 

 flourishing his baton. We shall find in other species, 

 also, that the tail, moi'e than any other organ, is used to 

 express emotion. Kecall its twitching and wagging ; liow 

 it is nervously spread or " jetted," showing the white 



* See Cherrie, The Auk (New York city), vol. ix, 1893, p. 323. 



