ORNITHOLOGICAL 

 & OTHER ODDITIES 



THE STUDY OF SEXUAL 

 SELECTION 



One of the most interesting portions of Darwin's 

 great work is that which deals with the question 

 of sexual selection in animals, for there is some- 

 thing peculiarly fascinating in a theory which 

 credits the lower orders of creation with the 

 power of individual attachment and the love 

 of beauty on which we human beings pride 

 ourselves. But, of late years especially, there 

 have been many objections to the theory, and 

 it can hardly be said to have a very firm hold 

 on the minds of naturalists, especially of those 

 who make a special study of wild life. 



Personally, I am strongly inclined to believe 

 that sexual selection will ultimately be justified 

 as a theory, although I admit there are many 

 difficulties to be overcome. I am speaking 

 with particular reference to birds, which class 



A 



