416 The Bird 
times as long as their tiny bodies. When a heavy dew 
falls during the night, drenching the plumage of these 
birds, they become helpless and quite unable to fly. At 
such times many are killed by their natural enemies; 
and such indeed is their helplessness, brought about by 
Fig. 331.—Male Paradise Whydah-bird showing tail. 
this excess of nuptial dress, that a person can pick them 
up in the hand without difficulty. 
The beautiful tails of pheasants are in harmony with 
the wealth of colour which many of these birds display 
upon other parts of the body; the long graceful tail of the 
Reeves being especially striking. 
The folded, roof-shaped tail of the common rooster, 
