80 MAN [CHAP. VIII 



Letter 444 the female, [being] more brightly coloured whilst young than 

 when come to maturity and fit to breed ? An imaginary 

 instance would be if the female kingfisher (or male) became 

 dull coloured when adult. 



Do you know whether the male and female wild canary 

 bird differ in plumage (though I believe I could find this out 

 for myself), and do any of the domestic breeds differ sexually? 



Do you know any gallinaceous bird in which the female 

 has well developed spurs ? 



It is very odd that my memory should fail me, but I 

 cannot remember whether, in accordance with your views, the 

 wing of Gallus bankiva (or Game-Cock, which is so like the 

 wild) is ornamental when he opens and scrapes it before the 

 female. I fear it is not ; but though I have often looked at 

 wing of the wild and tame bird, I cannot call to mind the exact 

 colours. What a number of points you have attended to ; I 

 did not know that vou were a horticulturist. I have often 



./ 



marvelled at the different growth of the flowering and 

 creeping branches of the ivy ; but had no idea that they 

 kept their character when propagated by cuttings. There is 

 a S. American genus (name forgotten just now) which differs 

 in an analogous manner but even greater degree, but it is 

 difficult to cultivate in our hot-house. I have tried and failed. 



Letter 445 To J- Jenner Weir. 



Down, May soth [1868]. 



I am glad to hear your opinion on the nest-making 

 instinct, for I am Tory enough not to like to give up all old 

 beliefs. Wallace's view * is also opposed to a great mass of 

 analogical facts. The cases which you mention of suddenly 

 reacquired wildness seem curious. I have also to thank you 

 for a previous valuable letter. With respect to spurs on 

 female Gallinaceae, I applied to Mr. Blyth, who has wonderful 

 systematic knowledge, and he tells me that the female Pavo 

 muticus and Fire-back pheasants are spurred. From various 

 interruptions I get on very slowly with my Bird MS., but 

 have already often and often referred to your volume of letters, 

 and have used various facts, and shall use many more. And 

 now I am ashamed to say that I have more questions to ask ; 

 but I forget you told me not to apologise. 



1 See Letter 440, etc. 



