PADDY-BIRDS AND EGRETS 239 
At the advent of the monsoon, when the frogs begin 
to croak in deafening chorus, the male birds “go 
a-courting.” They assume nuptial ornaments which 
consist of a ruff and some maroon feathers, The hen 
birds deck themselves out in similar finery, which is 
very annoying of them, for they thus present to natur- 
alists a very awkward problem. Neither natural nor 
sexual selection will explain this change in both sexes. 
The dingy brown hue cannot be improved upon so far 
as the former is concerned, and, if this be doffed in 
deference to sexual selection—the preference of the 
ladies for bright colours—how are we to account for the 
change in the female? It would rather seem that 
the change is an adventitious one, connected with the 
reproductive function, and not in any way benefiting 
the bird. 
It is scarcely necessary to state that the paddy-bird’s 
nest, which is built in a tree, is an untidy structure, 
made of sticks, and is, in every way, in keeping with 
the general character of the bird. 
The cattle egret (Budulcus coromandus) is nearly 
related to the paddy-bird. 
Never did two kinsmen present a greater contrast. 
The pond heron is solitary, inconspicuously coloured, 
and sluggish even for a heron. The cattle egret is 
gregarious, conspicuously clothed in white, and is the 
most energetic member of the heron tribe. It does 
not wait for its food to come to it, but “ walks up” the 
insects upon which it feeds. It not infrequently makes 
a cow act as its beater. 
Insects, whatever Lord Avebury may say to the 
