112 BIRD-LIFE. 
birds of fine plumage are just as vain as he. Modesty, 
as in accordance with our views, is with them quite out 
of the question; they, one and all, rather seek to exhibit 
the charms Nature has so bountifully bestowed upon 
them to the best advantage. We may, however, willingly 
pardon this weakness, as it is conducive to a great 
virtue—cleanliness. Birds are remarkable for this quality 
far beyond most other animals, especially mammals. The 
cat surpasses few birds in cleanliness; even those,who 
devour the most disgusting carrion with gusto, and 
stink horribly after their meal is ended, seek to free 
themselves from any portion of the same that may still 
remain hanging about their bodies. The Griffon ( V.fulvus ) 
wallows so deep among the intestines of a carcase that its 
head and neck entirely vanish among the cavities of the 
body, and are withdrawn smothered in gore and filth; 
after a short time, however, every trace of the obscene 
feast has been cleaned off, and also from the rest of the 
plumage. I only know one uncleanly bird, and that is 
the Marabou Stork, who withdraws from the banquet 
with his legs entirely incrusted with the traces of the 
same; but manages, however, not to soil the under 
tail feathers, possibly destined to decorate some fair 
court beauty; the remaining portions of its body are 
also kept unsoiled. The German expression, “ Schmutz- 
fink” (dirty fellow!), is a standing insult to the whole 
bird-world, inasmuch as it is a cruel untruth. There is 
not a single bird known which delights in wallowing in 
filth as do the thick-skinned mammals, and some breeds 
of cattle; better by far take the latter as prototypes 
of some people, and not our elegant cleanly feathered pets ! 
So long as they are in good health, slovenliness is a 
thing unheard of among them; not only each feather, 
