112 



there is something in sexual selection. I do not think 

 that it is so much beauty of plumage as strength and 

 vigour and intensity of the sexual desire that birds 

 find attractive in the opposite sex. Nor do I for a 

 moment accept Darwin's view that the hen alone exer- 

 cises selection ; I am inclined to think that selection is 

 mutual. The hen takes the best cock she can get, and 

 the cock selects the best hen available. 



This article has alread}'' reached a greater length 

 than I intended it should. I must, therefore, be as 

 brief as possible in setting forth the main reasons for 

 the views which I hold. I would add that my position 

 is a tentative one ; my object in writing is either to 

 obtain confirmation of ni}^ beliefs or such evidence as 

 shall render them untenable. 



Charles Darwin gives, in his Desrejit of Man, many 

 proofs tliat hens select their partners ; it will, there- 

 fore, suffice if I cite one instance that has come under 

 my personal observation. There are in the Zoological 

 Gardens at Lahore a number of Albino Peafowl. 

 These are placed in the run occupied by the ordinarj' 

 coloured Peafowl. A hen will not so much as look at 

 a coloured cock if there be a white one in the same 

 run. Curiously enough Mr. Tegetmeier cites, some- 

 where or other, the case of some Peahens which pre- 

 ferred an old pied cock to a number of beautiful 

 japanned ones. Here then is a clear case of conscious 

 feminine selection. 



As to what determines the choice of a partner, I 

 do not think it is outward appearance. A Peacock who 

 has lost the greater part of his train will take as much 

 pleasure in showing it off as he did when it was intact. 

 According to Mr. Tegetemeier "a Gamecock, though 



