THE SEXUAL SELECTION THEORY 151 



their ornamentati'^n is more animated than those of 

 duller hues. As an argument in favour of this view 

 the case of the display of the Great Crested Grebe may be 

 cited, wherein each sex has developed both colour 

 and ornament to a high degree, and are distinguishable 

 only to the expert. 



The latest and the best exponent of the behaviour of 

 this species under the spell of sexual exaltation is Mr. 

 Julian Huxley, whose observations, in a condensed form, 

 are now to be surveyed. The most conspicuous 

 features in this bird are the great Elizabethan ruff of 

 bright chestnut and dark Vandyke brown, and the long 

 dark-brown tufts of feathers, or " ears," which surmount 

 the head. But the satin-like sheen of the white breast 

 and the fore part of the neck and face add not a little 

 to the general effect. These ornaments are worn only 

 during the breeding season. So soon as the fires within 

 begin to burn, the parade of this finery commences, and 

 it would seem that a somewhat protracted dalliance 

 takes place before any actual pairing. During the early 

 phases of these performances much play is made with 

 ruffs and " ears." The courting pair will frequently 

 face one another on the water, and go through a strange 

 ceremony of head-shaking. To this is soon added a sort 

 of ghost dance, wherein the male suddenly dives, leaving 

 his mate swinging excitedly from side to side. In a moment 

 or two, however, he appears, not suddenly, as usual, but 

 arising gradually out of the water. He seems to " grow " 

 out of the water. First his head appears, with ears and 

 ruff extended, and beak pointed downwards ; then his 

 neck, and finally the body arises into view, till only the 

 extreme tail end remains submerged, so that he looks 

 more like a penguin than a grebe ! All the while he is 



