92 WILD NEIGHBORS cHAt. 



which the tail-feathers are greatly prolonged, modi- 

 fied and highly ornamented in the males, appar- 

 ently for the same purpose. Such, for example, 

 are the trogons, and particularly Guatemala's 

 national bird, the quesal, which opens and curls 

 and displays the long emerald plumes that descend 

 from his tail in a most magnificent manner for 

 the benefit of his plainly dressed mate. How 

 curious are the tails of some birds of paradise ! 

 The humming-birds offer similar examples : but 

 here it is the curious shape of a pair or so of 

 prolonged rectrices rather than their color; and 

 one may guess a reason for this when he watches 

 a hummer on the wing, for so exceedingly rapid is 

 the movement of the wings as it poises before a 

 flower, or in front of its demure little mate, that 

 it seems only a jewel flaming in a mist of scintil- 

 lant light. No particular ornament or pattern 

 of color is or could be visible, but above it, raised 

 and steady, are the long tail-feathers, straight, 

 curved, emarginate, thread-like or variously rack- 

 eted, which declare its identity like a badge to the 

 knowing eyes of the other bird. These are stand- 

 ards — recognition marks — in shape as well as 

 color; and they signal the language of courtship 

 at the same time, — an ornithological flirtation. 



A reminder of facts like these — especially as 

 regards the mammals — called forth recently some 

 suggestive remarks from Dr. E. Bonavia, of Eng- 

 land, as follows : 



