BIRDS OF INDIA DEWAE. 631 



that it should bear a general resemblance to the shikra. The fact that 

 the likeness extends to minute details in feather marking point to the 

 fact that in each case identical causes have operated to produce this 

 type of plumage. 



WALLACEISM. 



It is thus obvious that the problem of evolution is far more complex 

 than Wallace and Weismann would have us believe. Since their doc- 

 trine is widely accepted in England to-day and is inculcated by Pro- 

 fessor Poulton at Oxford, I have, in touching upon the study of the 

 birds of India in its scientific aspect, thought fit to bring together a 

 few facts which seem to show that the neo-Darwinian position is 

 untenable. I would add that I went out to India imbued with the 

 teaching of Wallace, and have abandoned it with reluctance, owing 

 to the many facts opposed to it that have forced themselves upon my 

 notice in that country. I am not attacking the doctrine of natural 

 selection, for I believe that selection is an important factor in the 

 genesis of species. It is to the views of Wallace and Weismann, who 

 have out-Darwined Darwin, that I am compelled to take exception. 

 It seems to me that Dr. Wallace preaches, not Darwinism, but Wal- 

 laceism, which is a very different thing. 



ECONOMIC ORNITHOLOGY. 



The economic aspect of the study of the birds of India is the one 

 likely to commend itself most to the members of this society. It is 

 certainly the most important from a practical point of view. Unfor- 

 tunately it is the aspect with which I am the least familiar, since I 

 study birds purely as a hobby. 



I take it that all men are agreed that birds as a whole are of incal- 

 culable value to man. Were they to disappear from off the face 

 of the earth human existence would be impossible. As things are, 

 insects constitute the dominant group of organisms. 



In number of species — 



writes Mr. Maxwell-Lefroy, imperial entomologist to the government 

 of India — 



in actual numbers or bulk, in tbe sum total of their activities, they outweigh all 

 other forms of animal life at present on the earth. 



They take toll of all other creatures. The birds are their chief foes. 

 It is due almost entirely to the efforts of the fowls of the air that 

 insects are held in check. To quote Mr. Maxwell-Lefroy again : 



Birds are the fluctuating check on insect life, the safety valve as it wei'e; 

 they congregate where they find insects, regardless of their species or habits, 

 and constantly consume the superfluous and superabundant insect life. 



88292— SM 1908 41 



