478 THE COCK OF THE ROCKS. 



The female has only the rudiments of a crest and lappet, 

 and is of a much duller colour than the male. 



THE COCK OF THE ROCKS. 



Anions the forest highlands at the foot of the sierras to the 

 north of the Amazon, the magnificent orange-coloured cock of 

 the rocks enjoys existence. About the size of a pigeon, it 

 belongs to the tribe of the diminutive manakins, most of 

 which have beautiful and curious plumage. It, however, sur- 

 passes them all. 



It has gained its name from the slight external resemblance 

 that it bears to the gallinaceous form. 



Its plumage is of a rich orange tint ; with the exception of 

 the quill-feathers of the wings, which are of a sooty black hue, 

 and those of the tail, which arc brown tipped with yellow. 

 On its head it wears a peculiar fan-like crest, which, over- 

 hanging the forehead, extends to the back of the head, and 

 which bears a strong resemblance to the plume of an ancient 

 helmet. The tips of these crest-feathers are tinged with 

 brown and yellow. Between the wing and upper tail-coverts 

 appear flowing plumes, which droop gracefully over the firmer 

 leathers of the tail and sides. 



Like some birds of paradise in the Eastern Archipelago, the 

 cocks of the rocks assemble in numbers to perform a kind of 

 dance for their amusement, selecting generally the smooth 

 rocks or roots of trees, — moving here and there, round and 

 round, backwards and forwards, and erecting their gorgeous 

 plumes, to exhibit their beauty. Wallace observed a com- 

 pany of birds engaged in this singular way, though he says 

 that no females or young birds were present. 



Schombergh describes a similar scene. A troop of these 



