COURTSHIP OF BIRDS 139 



organisms in which the masculinity or femininity is below 

 par when compared with what is normal for the race in 

 question, so there are species in which the males are 

 relatively feminine and the females relatively masculine, 

 judging by what is seen in related species. 



In the majority of birds which show sex-dimorphism the 

 males are distinctly the handsomer and more decorative. 

 They are keyed to a different pitch of artistic excellence. 

 Not that we would disparage any female bird; we only 

 mean that they are on another line. The males are more 

 luxuriant, exuberant, and elaborate. A cock chaffinch is 

 one masterpiece, the hen chaffinch is another. 



Some of the exceptions are interesting, but difficult to 

 understand. In the Hemipods, or Bustard-quails, small 

 quail-like birds about the size of sparrows which inhabit 

 Africa, India, China, Burmah, Malay, and Australia, the 

 female is usually more brightly coloured than the male, and 

 also larger. " The male is a very plain-plumaged little 

 fellow, but the female towers above him in size, and has often 

 a black throat or a rufous collar as a distinguishing char- 

 acter." The apparently older species have the sexes alike, 

 so in this case it seems that the evolution of decorativeness 

 has been on the female side. Now it is very interesting 

 to notice that in these bustard-quails, in which the females 

 are the larger and handsomer, only the females call and 

 only the females fight. The males sit upon the eggs, 

 while the females roam about, "calling and fighting, 

 without any care for their obedient mates ; the males, and 

 the males only, tend the young, and are to be flushed along 

 with the brood." " After having deposited her three or 

 four eggs in an apology for a nest, the female leaves the 

 incubation and rearing of the young to be performed by 

 her husband, weak little man that he is, while she roams 

 about, seeking for some equally strong-minded lady to fight 



