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The Descent of Man

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ted tail-feathers or elongated crests for their<br />

chief ornament, the shortened tail, formerly<br />

described in the male <strong>of</strong> a humming-bird, and<br />

the shortened crest <strong>of</strong> the male goosander,<br />

seem like one <strong>of</strong> the many changes <strong>of</strong> fashion<br />

which we admire in our own dresses.<br />

Some members <strong>of</strong> the heron family <strong>of</strong>fer a still<br />

more curious case <strong>of</strong> novelty in colouring<br />

having, as it appears, been appreciated for the<br />

sake <strong>of</strong> novelty. <strong>The</strong> young <strong>of</strong> the Ardea asha<br />

are white, the adults being dark slate-coloured;<br />

and not only the young, but the adults in their<br />

winter plumage, <strong>of</strong> the allied Buphus coromandus<br />

are white, this colour changing into a<br />

rich golden-buff during the breeding-season. It<br />

is incredible that the young <strong>of</strong> these two species,<br />

as well as <strong>of</strong> some other members <strong>of</strong> the<br />

same family (56. <strong>The</strong> young <strong>of</strong> Ardea rufescens<br />

and A. caerulea <strong>of</strong> the United States are likewise<br />

white, the adults being coloured in accordance<br />

with their specific names. Audubon

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