1866-1872] SEXUAL SELECTION 



To A. I). Bartlett. 1 Utter 



Down, Feb. 16th, [1867?] 



I want to beg two favours of you. I wish to ascertain 

 whether the Bower-Bird discriminates colours.- Will you 

 have all the coloured worsted removed from the cage and 

 bower, and then put all in a row, at some distance from 

 bower, the enclosed coloured worsted, and mark whether the 

 bird at first makes any selection. Each packet contains an 

 equal quantity ; the packets had better be separate, and each 

 thread put separate, but close together ; perhaps it would be 

 fairest if the several colours were put alternately — one thread 

 of bright scarlet, one thread of brown, etc., etc. There are six 

 colours. Will you have the kindness to tell me whether the 

 birds prefer one colour to another ? 



Secondly, I very much want several heads of the fancy 

 and long-domesticated rabbits, to measure the capacity of 

 skull. I want only small kinds, such as Himalaya, small 

 Angora, Silver Grey, or any small-sized rabbit which has long 

 been domesticated. The Silver Grey from warrens would be 

 of little use. The animals must be adult, and the smaller the 

 breed the better. Now when any one dies would you send 

 me the carcase named ; if the skin is of any value it might be 

 skinned, but it would be rather better with skin, and I could 

 make a present to any keeper to whom the skin is a perquisite. 

 This would be of great assistance to me, if yuii would have 

 the kindness thus to aid me. 



To W. B. Tegetmeier. Utter "7 



We are not aware that the experiment here suggested has ever bee n 

 carried out. 



Down, March 5th I.1S67]. 



I write on the bare and very improbable chance of your 

 being able to try, or get some trustworthy person to try, 



1 Abraham Dee Bartlett (1812-97) was resident superintendent of 

 the Zoological Society's Gardens in Regent's Park from 1S59 to 1S97. 

 He communicated several papers to the Zoological Society. His 

 knowledge was always at the service of Mr. Darwin, who had a sincere 

 respect for him. 



' Mr. Bartlett does not seem to have supplied any information on the 

 point in question. The evidence for the Bower- Birds taste in colour is 

 in Descent of Man, II., p. 112. 



