ARGUS POLYPLECTRON. 



153 



with yellowish-white : the tail-feathers are dull 

 brown, varied with small spots of yellow ochre : 

 at one inch and a quarter from the tips of the 

 upper range, and one and three quarters from 

 those of the lower, are two shining spots of an 

 oval form, united one to the other, and separated 

 by the shafts : the centres of these spots are green, 

 reflecting brilliant hues of blue and purple, but 

 not so splendid as on the wings and back ; they 

 are surrounded by a circle of black, which is again 

 inclosed in another of dull grey of twice the 

 breadth of the black : the upper mandible of the 

 beak is red at its base, and black at its tip ; the 

 under is yellow, tipped with brown : the eyes are 

 encircled with bright grey feathers ; the irides are 

 brilliant yellow: the feet are black, as are the 

 spurs y the claws grey. 



The female has the plumage less brilliant, and 

 the tail shorter: the feet are dull grey, and in 

 place of the lower spur is situated a prominent 

 callosity. The young have the plumage entirely 

 of an earthy-grey, with large spots, and small lines 

 of a brown colour : after the first moult the plumage 

 becomes less irregular, and the position of the 

 spots on the wings and tail becomes visible ; at the 

 second they become more determined, and possess 

 the fine golden-blue tint, with green reflections; 

 but it is not til after the third moult, which takes 

 place at two years of age, that all the colours are 

 produced in perfection. 



In a natural state this species is not very wild ; 

 it becomes readily accustomed to confinement, and 



