Wonders of nature science : an every day book for the student and intellectual observer.

Date:
[1873?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Wonders of nature science : an every day book for the student and intellectual observer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    141/596 (page 125)
    Australia/ has given a nearly similar account, only that the follow- ing observation appears to be novel: f During one of these rambles/ remarks the writer, ' I beheld a sight which, to me, was grand in the extreme. In working my way through the tedious scrub, and being upon the brow of a hill, making my way to camp, I heard a din in the valley below which completely astonished me. As I neared it, the noise became abominable, and I wondered what it all meant. Knowing the shyness of bush-scrub animals, I sneaked nearer the scene of noise, and came in view of as fine a sight as I have witnessed in all my life. About as near as I could guess, a hundred and fifty lyre-cocks were ranged in order of battle, and fighting with indescribable fury. So astonished was I, that I forgot to place my gun on full cock, and, in almost a second of time, they took alarm and disappeared, leaving me greatly disappointed/ Amongst the duck tribe, the mandarine (Aix galericulata) is a pre-eminently beautiful species, the male being very richly adorned, and possessing what may be termed specialities, the most remark- able of which are two very broad feathers in his wings, of a rich tawny brown colour, edged with white, black and glossy purple. During courtship these feathers are vertically elevated and retained in that position by the bird's beak, which is incessantly applied to them with a very peculiar jerking movement, at the same time uttering a note which has a remarkably ivatery sound. Like many of its congeners, all the finery of the male of this species is lost when the breeding-time is over, and replaced, for a few months only, by the sober browns and greys of the female. These birds are said to be regarded by the Chinese as emblems of conjugal fidelity, being- often carried about in their marriage processions. Thus much on this most fascinating subject, for such it is, although it has been strangely neglected by naturalists. There are yet numbers of highly-decorated birds whose modes of display have never yet been observed by human eyes ; these remain as pleasurable objects to hope for and to observe when the opportunity occurs. Coloured Plate.—The pinnated grouse (Tetrao cupido), show- ing in the distance a male having the neck-plumes pendant. Plate II.—Male birds during courtship, a, Honduras turkey, Meleagris ocellata; b, Peacock pheasant, Polyplectron chinquis; c, Impeyan pheasant, Lophophorus impeyanus; d, Japanese phea- sant, Phasiamis versicolor; e, Australian bustard, Otis Austral- asianus; f, Bell bird, Chasmorhynchus nudicollis; g, Common partridge, Perdix cinerea; h3 Grolden pheasant, Thaumalea picta ; i, Black grouse, Tetrao tetrix.