Correspondence.



171



ANCESTRAL CHARACTERS IN NESTLINGS.


Dear I)r. Renshaw, — Re my article on the feather-patterns of birds, I have

now gone a little further and put together a few notes on “ Ancestral Characters in

Nestlings." Whilst writing these out, it occurred to me to wonder whether the

idea had crossed Darwin's mind when writing his ‘ Descent of Man,’ and I was

pleased to discover that it had done so.


Herewith I enclose my .article on “ ancestral characters.” I don’t know

whether any of the views expressed therein are new, but, as I have not myself met

with them in print, I concluded that they might at least be new to some of our

members. Nature generally leaves “ footprints in the sands of time ” by which one

may follow out her methods; and, with a little study, it is fairly easy to trace the

development of the patterns found both in birds and many Lepulopterous insects.


The photograph of the Wood Swallows is very attractive, and all illustrations

render an article more pleasing. With the material which you possess I think you

have already done wonders in the way of illustration.


Yours very sincerely,


The Lilies, Arthur G. Butler.


124, Beckenham Road,


Beckenham, Kent;


January 20th, 1918.


[We hope to shortly publish Dr. Butler’s paper in illustrated form. The

photograph above referred to represents a pair of Wood Swallows and their young,

and is the careful work of our contributors, Messrs. R. T. Littlejohns and S. A.

Lawrence. It will be remembered that their beautiful study of a sitting Wood

Swallow appeared in our Anzac number.—-G. R.]



ABNORMAL RACQUETS IN A MOTMOT.


Dear Dr. Renshaw, — It is curious that my Motinot, which is in splendid

condition and health, has not acquired his racquets this year : that is to say, the

barbs have not fallen off the shaft of the two central tail-feathers.



They are like this—



instead of this —



Tail feathers of the Motmot.


I wonder why the tail is longer, if anything, than last year, 191o.


There are two of these feathers in the tail. Usually the racquets appeared a

month after the moult was fully completed—in November.


The January Magazine was very interesting I thought.


Believe me,


l T ours very truly,


Hubert D. Astley.



Brinsop Court, Hereford;


February 1st, 1918.



