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Handbook of Nature-Sttidy 



on the wings of the Rouen ducks? Is the drake more beautiful than the 

 duck? 



9. What advantage is it for these fowls to have the father bird 

 more beautiful and bright in color than the mother bird? 



10. In case of the Baltimore oriole is the mother bird as bright in 

 color as the father bird? Why? 



11. Study a peacock's feather. What color is the eye-spot? What 

 color around that? What color around that? What color and shape are 

 the outside barbs of the feather? Do you blame a peacock for being 

 proud when he can spread a tail of a hundred eyes? Does the peahen 

 have such beautiful tail feathers as the peacock? 



Peahens and peacocks 



The bird of Juno glories in his plumes; 



Pride makes the fowl to preene his feathers so. 



His spotted train fetched from old Argus' head. 



With golden rays like to the hrighest sun, 



Inserteth self-love in the silly bird; 



Till midst its hot and glorious fumes 



He spies his feet and then lets fall his plumes. 



■ — The Peacock, Robert Greene, (1560). 



