Bird Life. 99 



fights in a desperate manner, he yet more fre- 

 quently sings out his emotion, and his plumage 

 appears more alive than at other times. 



The feathers are glossier and take on a new iri- 

 descence, even among the black or brown varieties. 



The female, usually quiet in coloring, assumes a 

 glossier appearance at this time. 



The young birds, male and female, resemble the 

 mother instead of the father in the color of their 

 plumage. But as the young male approaches 

 maturity, as the life-germs develop toward com- 

 pletion, a change comes over him. 



The vitality that accompanies the unfolding of 

 these marvellous germs of life thrills through his 

 whole body. His form quivers with a, to him, 

 hitherto unknown emotion. If he be an oriole, 

 behold the glory of orange and gold that burns in 

 his feathers ! 



If a bird of paradise, he comes forth in long and 

 brilliant plumes, like some strange flower suddenly 

 blossoming in magnificence. The peacock spreads 

 a fan gorgeous to behold. The scarlet tanager 

 appears like a flame among the bushes. 



Here is a bird as blue as the sky, there one the 

 color of -gold. Here again appears one wearing 

 great spurs as a badge of his masculinity; wattles 

 adorn him, and a comb red and haughty. 



Tufts of feathers, graceful aigrets, and long 

 plumes are the badges of many others. 



In strange forms and stranger colors does this 



