Chap. XIV. 
GKADATIOX OF OHAEACTEKS. 
139 ^ 
concluded that the early progenitors of the peacoci 
could not have resembled in 
any degree a Polyplectron. 
But on continuing my search, 
I observed that in some of 
the species the two ocelli 
stood very near each other; 
that in the tail-feathers of 
P. Hardwichii they touched 
each other ; and, finally, that 
in the tail-coverts of this same 
species as well as of P. ma- 
laceense (fig. 55) they were 
actually confluent. As the 
central part alone is confluent, 
an indentation is left at both 
the upper and lower ends ; 
and the surrounding coloured 
zones are likewise indented. 
A single ocellus is thus 
formed on each tail-covert, 
though still plainly betraying 
its double origin. These con- 
fluent ocelli differ from the 
single ocelli of the peacock 
in having, an indentation at 
both ends, instead of at the 
lower or basal end alone. The 
explanation, however, of this 
difference is not difficult ; in 
some species of Polyplectron 
the two oval ocelli on the 
same feather stand parallel 
to each other ; in other species (as in P. cJiinquis) they 
converge towards one end ; now the partial confluence 
of two convergent ocelli would manifestly leave a much 
Fig. 54. Part of a tail-covert of Poly- 
plectron chinquis, with the two ocelli 
of nat. size. 
Fig. 55. Part of a tail-covert of Poly- 
plectron malaccense, with the two 
ocelli, partially confluent, of nat. size. 
