Finn's Experiments 



It is obvious that there is a wide field for 

 observation on these lines. In the case of large 

 birds the experiment could be made still more 

 conclusive by confining the three birds to be 

 experimented on in a single enclosure, divided 

 into three compartments by fences. The males 

 should be placed each in a separate compartment, 

 and have a wing clipped so as to prevent them 

 leaving their respective compartments, while the 

 hen should be allowed the power of flight so that 

 she can visit at will any compartment. 



Finn has also recorded (loc. cit.) some other 

 observations bearing on the question of sexual 

 selection. He writes: 



" One cannot observe or read about the habits 

 of birds very much without finding out that, 

 whatever may be the value of beauty, strength 

 counts for a great deal. Male birds constantly 

 fight for their mates, and the beaten individual, 

 if not killed, is at any rate kept at a distance by 

 his successful rival, so that, if he be really more 

 beautiful, his beauty is not necessarily of much 

 service to him. I was particularly impressed 

 by this about a couple of years ago, when I 

 frequently watched the semi-domesticated mal- 

 lards in Regent's Park in the pairing season. 

 These birds varied a good deal in colour ; in 

 some the rich claret breast was wanting, and 

 others had even a slate-coloured head instead of 

 the normal brilliant green. Yet I found these 



3'3 



