[195] When the Argus pheasant displays his wing-feathers like a great fan, those nearest to the body stand more upright than the outer ones, so that the shading of the ball-and-socket ocelli ought to be slightly different on the different feathers, in order to bring out their full effect, relatively to the incidence of the light. Mr. T. W. Wood, who has the experienced eye of an artist, asserts (‘Field,’ Newspaper, May 28, 1870, p. 457) that this is the case; but after carefully examining two mounted specimens (the proper feathers from one having been given to me by Mr. Gould for more accurate comparison) I cannot perceive that this acme of perfection in the shading has been attained; nor can others to whom I have shewn these feathers recognise the fact. [196] ‘The Reign of Law,’ 1867, p. 247. [197] ‘Introduction to the Trochilidæ,’ 1861, p. 110. [198] Fourth edition, 1866, p. 241. [199] ‘Westminster Review,’ July, 1867. ‘Journal of Travel,’ vol. i. 1868, p. 73. [200] Temminck says that the tail of the female _Phasianus Sœmmerringii_ is only six inches long, ‘Planches coloriées,’ vol. v. 1838, p. 487 and 488: the measurements above given were made for me by Mr. Sclater. For the common pheasant, see Macgillivray, ‘Hist. Brit. Birds,’ vol. i. p. 118-121. [201] Dr. Chapuis, ‘Le Pigeon Voyageur Belge,’ 1865, p. 87. [202] Bechstein, ‘Naturgesch. Deutschlands,’ 1793, B. iii. s. 339. [203] Daines Barrington, however, thought it probable (‘Phil. Transact.’ 1773, p. 164) that few female birds sing, because the talent would have been dangerous to them during incubation. He adds, that a similar view may possibly account for the inferiority of the female to the male in plumage. [204] Mr. Ramsay, in ‘Proc. Zoolog. Soc.’ 1868, p. 50. [205] ‘Journal of Travel,’ edited by A. Murray, vol. i. 1868, p. 78. [206] ‘Journal of Travel,’ edited by A. Murray, vol. i. 1868, p. 281. [207] Audubon, ‘Ornithological Biography,’ vol. i. p. 233. [208] Jerdon, ‘Birds of India,’ vol. ii. p. 108. Gould’s ‘Handbook of the Birds of Australia,’ vol. i. p. 463. [209] For instance, the female _Eupetomena macroura_ has the head and tail dark blue with reddish loins; the female _Lampornis porphyrurus_ is blackish-green on the upper surface, with the lores and sides of the throat crimson; the female _Eulampis jugularis_ has the top of the head and back green, but the loins and the tail are crimson. Many other instances of highly conspicuous females could be given. See Mr. Gould’s magnificent work on this family. [210] Mr. Salvin noticed in Guatemala (‘Ibis,’ 1864, p. 375) that humming-birds were much more unwilling to leave their nests during very hot weather, when the sun was shining brightly, than during cool, cloudy, or rainy weather.