Display of Undecorated Cocks 



Finn observed that a young hen Bird of 

 Paradise (Paradisea apoda) in the London Zoo- 

 logical Gardens, mated with a fully adult cock in 

 the next compartment although a young cock in 

 female plumage in her own compartment did his 

 best to show off. 



It would thus seem that the very limited 

 evidence at present available is not sufficient to 

 sustain the theory that the hens select the most 

 attractive of their suitors. It is significant that 

 plainly-coloured species of birds show off with as 

 much care as their gaily-plumaged brethren ; 

 and, if they be nearly allied, assume similar 

 courting attitudes. Thus the homely-attired 

 males of the Spotted-bill (Anas poecilorkynckaj, 

 Gad wall, and Black Duck (Anas superciliosa), 

 show off in precisely the same way as does the 

 handsome mallard. 



Howard describes and figures in his excellent 

 and beautifully illustrated monograph the elabo- 

 rate display at the pairing season of some of our 

 plain-coloured little warblers. The skylark has 

 also a notable display. 



The common partridge assumes a nuptial atti- 

 tude similar to that of the pheasant, and, although 

 the cock of the former species has nothing brilliant 

 to show off, the hen partridge pays far more atten- 

 tion to the display of her suitor than does the hen 

 pheasant. 



The fact that some cock birds show off after the 



