IN THE SHETLANDS ae 
half-cream variety, I have not the same clear recollec- 
tion in regard to birds exhibiting other shades and 
proportions of cream. It was the opinion, moreover, 
of the man engaged to protect the sea-birds during 
the breeding season on Unst, that the light birds, by 
which he meant the ones more markedly so, were 
increasing in numbers. It would appear, therefore, 
that the process one might expect, were sexual selection 
the agency here at work, is in operation, and, for the 
rest, it is no use being in a hurry. A little patience, 
the “rolling” of ‘a few more years”—say a million 
—will settle the matter either one way or the other. 
