hope — ^if for the moment, we may accord to them human 

 standards of intention — of arousing kindred emotions in their 

 mates. 



Darwin was the first to draw attention to these curious 

 displays. Which, on the evidence then available, seemed 

 always to be made, and only to be made, by birds having 

 wings conspicuously coloured. It seemed as though the 

 possessors of such wings were conscious of their beauty, and 

 so displayed them that nothing of their glory should be 

 missed. 



The sun-bittem affords a case in point. This bird, a 

 native of Brazil, is soberly, but very beautifidly coloured 

 when at rest ; its plumage presenting an indescribable 

 mixture of black, grey, brown, bay, and white ; blended 

 in the form of spots, bars, and mottlings. But during times 

 of sexual excitement it wiU spread out its wings in the form 

 of a great fan, encircling the long, slender neck. And in 

 this position they present a very conspicuous appearance, 

 taking the form of beautifully graded bands of black, white, 

 and bright grey, forming patterns which vanish the moment 

 the primaries fall into their place behind the quills of the 

 forearm. But when thus spread the bird seems to find the 

 greatest delight in displajdng their chaste splendour before 

 his mate. He seems to spread his wings just because he is 

 conscious of their beauty when thus opened out. 



62 



