422 



The Bird 



hidden by the overhanging train of gorgeous plumes, 

 which are in reality the upper tail-coverts. 



The same thing is true of the peacock, whose real tail, 

 while it has the power of spreading, consists solely of 



FIG. 338. Train of Peacock spread. 



short, dull, brownish feathers, acting as a support to the 

 glorious train of ocellated plumes which springs from the 

 lower back. Indeed the tail-feathers of a turkey-cock 

 are far more beautiful than the real tail of a peacock. 

 This is especially evident when, after a peacock has moulted 



