SEXUAL SELECTION 161 



brilliant suitor from a dull one, and one of their own species 

 from a "foreigner" ; similarly just enough ear to know a fine 

 song from a poor one, and among the songs of many species to 

 recognise that of their own 5(2) that there was reason to believe 

 that the female did exercise a choice. 



As to the first point much nonsense has been talked. It has 

 been said that we have to assume a subtle aesthetic sense in the 

 hen-bird enabling her to appreciate each delicate shade of colour, 

 every nicety of pattern, and the refinements of music. No such 

 appreciation, however, is necessary to the theory. -What is as- 

 sumed is merely the power to distinguish between a good show 

 and a poor one, or between two good shows that are markedly 

 different, whether appealing to the eye or to the ear. This 

 demands, no doubt, some development of the colour-sense or of 

 the sense of hearing. But this is quite different from aesthetic 

 appreciation. It has been said that female taste is proverbially 

 fickle, and would consequently guide evolution, now hither, now 

 thither. But we know that coloration is primarily a recognition 

 mark, and song a call note. Natural Selection, therefore, would 

 check the vagaries of female taste. The first necessity for the 

 male is to convince the hen-bird that he belongs to the same 

 species as herself. Only after that will courtship proceed. If 

 the hen-bird is capable of knowing a recognition mark or a call 

 note and no one disputes this then she has all the colour-sense 

 and musical sense that is required. 



If we go to the farmyard for evidence, we shall find some that 

 is liable to misinterpretation. An old cock, scarred and battle- 

 stained, is preferred by the hens before his handsome young 

 rivals. This, after all, is not a very damaging fact. The hens 

 saw and recognised his beauty before a series of fights marred 

 and draggled it. In polygamous species at any rate, what finds 

 favour is the combination of martial prowess and beauty. The 

 former charm still belongs to the battered bird we are imagin- 

 ing, the latter is still fresh in the memory of his admirers. 

 That he should be accepted is no more wonderful than that a 

 scarred soldier returning from a campaign should be preferred to 

 the best-looking man in London. 





