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The Descent of Man

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wing-feather <strong>of</strong> male and female, upper surface.<br />

b and e, sixth secondary, upper surface. c<br />

and f, seventh secondary, lower surface.]<br />

Lastly, in several species <strong>of</strong> a sub-genus <strong>of</strong> Pipra<br />

or <strong>Man</strong>akin, the males, as described by Mr.<br />

Sclater, have their SECONDARY wing-feathers<br />

modified in a still more remarkable manner. In<br />

the brilliantly-coloured P. deliciosa the first<br />

three secondaries are thick-stemmed and curved<br />

towards the body; in the fourth and fifth<br />

(Fig. 45, a) the change is greater; and in the<br />

sixth and seventh (b, c) the shaft "is thickened<br />

to an extraordinary degree, forming a solid<br />

horny lump." <strong>The</strong> barbs also are greatly changed<br />

in shape, in comparison with the corresponding<br />

feathers (d, e, f) in the female. Even<br />

the bones <strong>of</strong> the wing, which support these<br />

singular feathers in the male, are said by Mr.<br />

Fraser to be much thickened. <strong>The</strong>se little birds<br />

make an extraordinary noise, the first "sharp<br />

note being not unlike the crack <strong>of</strong> a whip." (57.

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