Rail — Sexual Selection Experiments in Cecropia Moth. 277 



distance and causing him to drop to the floor.— 5:40. AU three insects 

 resting quietly, female 1 laying a small number of unfertilized eggs.— 

 12:00 Midnight. Up to this time all have remained quietly in the same 

 position excepting at 11::J0 when the male vibrated his wings actively, 

 for three minutes.— April 22, 7:00 A. M. Find the male in copulo with 

 female 1, the older. This moth had deposited 17 eggs before mating. 



Experiment 2.— April 22, 6:00 P. M. 



<j"4. Age days 5:30 hours. Lacks a portion of hind left 



wing; left the cocoon in this condition. 

 c?5. Age days 5:30 hours, 

 o 2. Age 7 days 4:30 hours. 



Object. — To see whether the female will mate with the 

 normal or deformed male when they are of equal age. 



Beliavior. — 8:00. The female, when placed with the males. Imme- 

 diately begins to vibrate the wings and protrude the copulatory organ, 

 and then flutters about unceasingly for ten minutes. During this time 

 male 4 slowly moves the wings up and down for perhaps five minutes.— 

 6:10. All this time male 5 has remained quietly in one position, but now 

 advances toward the female. — 6:15. The female remains quiet, while 

 the two males flutter actively about her. The indications at this 

 moment are that the smaller, deformed male will win. — 6:20. All of the 

 insects have settled down for the evening, the two males at equal dis- 

 tance from the female. — April 23, 9:00 A. M. The female found in 

 coition with male 4. 



Thus the deformed moth was victor in spite of the 

 fact that its rival was normal and had no advantage in 

 age. 



Experiment 3. — April 25, 4:50 P. M. 



2 1. Age 11 days 20:20 hours. Has already mated. 

 tJS. Age 4 days 1:20 hours. Has already mated. 

 (^ a. Age 3 days 2:20 hours. 



Object. — To ascertain whetlier an already mated fe- 

 male, if she remates at all, will select the unmated insect 

 in preference to the mated one. 



Behavior. — 4:50. When the unmated male is introduced, the female 

 remains stationary, vibrating the wings rapidly. This causes a somewhat 

 musical sound as the wings beat upon the wires of the cage. The male 

 dashes about, throwing himself bodily against her and often falling to 

 the floor. This unmated male and the female which has previously 

 mated, seem extremely eager to mate. — 5:00. This agitation has con- 



