SUMMARY. 
233 
or of producing instrumental music, and the males 
consequence differ from the females in their vocal 
Vp. xvl 
Jt h have special means for charming the female. With 
°! ne it is the power of song, or of emitting strange 
cries, 
in 
^bans, or in the structure of certain feathers. From 
e curiously diversified means for producing various 
1U( ls we gain a high idea of the importance of this 
Cana of courtship. Many birds endeavour to charm 
e females by love-dances or antics, performed on the 
^"Und or in the air, and sometimes at prepared places. 
Il ' ornaments of many kinds, the most brilliant tints, 
,' ,ln bs and wattles, beautiful plumes, elongated feathers, 
H'knots, 
'tea 
?cted 
and so forth, are by far the commonest 
ill s. In some cases mere novelty appears to have 
as a charm. The ornaments of the males must 
6 highly important to them, for they have been ac- 
Fifed in not a few cases at the cost of increased danger 
f 111 enemies, and even at some loss of power in fight- 
.§ "ith their rivals. The males of very many spe- 
Cle ® do not assume their ornamental dress until they 
^'ive at maturity, or they assume it ouly during the 
feeding-season, or the tints then become more vivid. 
Main ornamental appendages become enlarged, turgid, 
brightly-coloured during the very act of courtship. 
' e males display their charms with elaborate care and 
to p 1 J 
th. 
, Mr, and many males and females congregate at an 
^Pointed place. To suppose that the females do not 
fht'eciute the beauty of the males is to admit that 
ar e 
Povvi 
'be best effect ; and this is done in the presence of 
females. The courtship is sometimes a prolonged 
splendid decorations, all their pomp and display, 
Useless ; and this is incredible. Birds have fine 
ers of discrimination, and in some few instances it 
y' 1 be shewn that they have a taste for the beautiful 
r bb, 
6 females, moreover, are known occasionally to 
