254 THE PRINCIPLES OF [Part U 



other males do not obtain possession of the females, in- 

 dependently of choice on the part of the latter. The 

 courtship of animals is by no means so simple and short 

 an affair as might be thought. The females are most ex- 

 cited by, or prefer pairing with, the more ornamented 

 males, or those which are the best songsters, or play the 

 best antics; but it is obviously probable, as has been 

 actually observed in some cases, that they would at the 

 same time prefer the more vigorous and lively males. 4 

 Thus the more vigorous females, which are the first to 

 breed, will have the choice of many males ; and though 

 they may not always select the strongest or best armed, 

 they will select those which are vigorous and well armed, 

 and in other respects the most attractive. Such early 

 pairs would have the same advantage in rearing offspring 

 on the female side as above explained, and nearly the 

 same advantage on the male side. And this apparently 

 has sufficed during a long course of generations to add not 

 only to the strength and fighting-powers of the males, but 

 likewise to their various ornaments or other attractions. 



In the converse and much rarer case of the males se- 

 lecting particular females, it is plain that those which were 

 the most vigorous and had conquered others, would have 

 the freest choice ; and it is almost certain that they would 

 select vigorous as well as attractive females. Such pairs 

 would have an advantage in rearing offspring, more es- 

 pecially if the male had the power to defend the female 

 during the pairing-season, as occurs with some of the 

 higher animals, or aided in providing for the young. The 

 same principles would apply if both sexes mutually pre- 

 ferred and selected certain individuals of the opposite sex ; 



4 I have received information, hereafter to be given, to this effect with 

 respect to poultry. Even with birds, such as pigeons, which pair for life, 

 the female, as I hear from Mr. Jenner Weir, will desert her mate if he is 

 injured or grows weak. 



