258 DUSTING ITSELF. 



indulging in the strange habit of " dusting " 

 itself like a city sparrow. Happily he saw the 

 whole operation. Selecting a suitable spot, the 

 beautiful bird first cleared away the grass and 

 leaves, and while the eager observer was won- 

 dering what all this preparation portended, sud- 

 denly flung itself to the ground, and rolled its 

 rich plumage in the dust, fluttered the wings, 

 elevated and depressed the six plumes on its 

 head, and otherwise appeared to enjoy itself 

 extremely. At another time the traveler wit- 

 nessed a second uncommon scene in the deep 

 interior of the forest. A bird of the same 

 species alighted upon the ground, and after 

 peering in every direction, either to make 

 sure of being unobserved, or to discover an 

 enemy or a friend, began a most singular 

 performance, waving the six long plumes of 

 the head, raising and lowering a small tuft of 

 silvery white feathers over its beak, elevating 

 a glittering crest on its neck, and spreading 

 and drawing back the long feathers on its sides, 

 every movement entirely changing its apparent 

 shape. In a short time it began to jump from 

 side to side and to assume an attitude of war, 

 and all the time it never ceased uttering an un- 

 common note, as though calling for admiration 

 or for a fight. 



Not long after this curious exhibition fol- 



