310 LESSONS FROM NATUEE. [CHAP. X. 



have frequently great preference for a particular peacock. They were 

 all so fond of an old pied cock, that one year, when he was confined 

 though still in view, they were constantly assembled close to the 

 trellis-walls of his prison, and would not suffer a japanned peacock to 

 touch them. On his being let out in the autumn, the oldest of the 

 hens instantly courted him, and was successful in her courtship. The 

 next year he was shut up in a stable, and then the hens all courted his 

 rival. This rival was a japanned or black-winged .peacock, which to 

 our eyes is a more beautiful bird than the common kind.&quot; vol. ii. 

 p. 120. 



Now no one disputes as to birds showing preferences one 

 for another ; but it is quite a gratuitous suggestion that the 

 pied plumage of the venerable paterfamilias was the charm 

 which attracted the opposite sex ; and even if such were the 

 case, it would seem (from Mr. Darwin s concluding remark) 

 to show either that the peahen s taste is so different from 

 ours, that the peacock s plumage could never have been 

 developed by it, or (if the taste of these peahens was different 

 from that of most peahens) that such is the instability of a 

 vicious feminine caprice, that no constancy of coloration 

 could be produced by its selective action. 



Another instance, which Mr. Darwin considers a &quot; striking 

 case,&quot; is that &quot;a male silver-pheasant, who had been tri 

 umphant over the other males, and was the accepted lover 

 of the females, had his ornamental plumage spoiled. He 

 was then immediately superseded by a rival, who got the 

 upper hand, and afterwards led the flock.&quot; But, in the first 

 place, what is the meaning of &quot; got the upper hand &quot; ? If 

 this means &quot; conquered in fight,&quot; the whole case is simple 

 enough ; and without such conquest it is difficult to see how 

 the second male could have &quot; afterwards led the flock.&quot; But 

 even if it does not mean conquest, it need only mean that 

 the change of plumage caused an interruption in the asso 

 ciated sensations of the females, such that they mistook his 

 identity, and no longer recognised their mate. But a solitary 

 observation of Dr. Jaeger requires confirmation, and is indeed 

 of little value in supporting what, if it be correct, is but a 

 hypothetical interpretation of its meaning, while numerous 



