258 The Argus Pheasant. 



socket. These feathers have been shown to several artists, 

 and all have expressed their admiration at the perfect shading. 



" The primary wing feathers, which in most gaUinaceous 

 birds are uniformly coloured, are in the Argus pheasant not 

 less wonderful objects than the secondary wing feathers, 

 they are of a soft brown tint with numerous dark spots, each 

 of which consists of two or three black dots with a surrounding 

 dark zone. But the chief ornament is a space parallel to the 

 dark blue shaft, which in outline forms a perfect second 

 feather lying within the true feather. This inner part is 

 coloured of a lighter chestnut, and is thickly dotted with minute 

 white points. I have shown this feather to several persons, 

 and many have admired it even more than the ball-and- 

 socket feathers, and have declared that it was more like a 

 work of art than of Nature. Now these feathers are quite 

 hidden on all ordinary occasions, but are fully displayed when 

 the long secondary feathers are erected, though in a widely 

 different manner ; for they are expanded in front like two 

 little fans or shields, one on each side of the breast near the 

 ground. 



" The case of the male Argus pheasant is eminently 

 interesting, because it affords good evidence that the most 

 refined beauty may serve as a charm for the female, and 

 for no other purpose. We must conclude that this is the 

 case, as the primary wing feathers are never displayed, and 

 the ball-and-socket ornaments are not exhibited in full 

 perfection except when the male assumes the attitude of 

 courtship. The Argus pheasant does not possess brilliant 

 colours, so that his success in courtship appears to have 

 depended on the great size of his plumes, and on the elabora- 

 tion of the most elegant patterns. Many will declare that it 

 is utterly incredible that a female bird should be able to appre- 

 ciate fine shading and exquisite patterns. It is undoubtedly 

 a marvellous fact that she should possess this almost human 

 degree of taste, though perhaps she admires the general effect 

 rather than each separate detail. He who thinks that he can 



