1899.] F. 'Finn ^ Notes on the PloccidcV. 255 



affectionate and caressing to a degree, even with birds of alien'spccies. 

 Egg always white. 



4. Some experiments on Sexual Selection in the Avadavat. 



The affectionate and caressing disposition of the Munia group, above 

 alluded to, suggested one of them ns a fit subject for experiments in 

 Sexual Selection, the direct evidence for which is as yet somewhat to seek. 

 And as the Avadavat {Spor&3r/inthtcs amandava) shows a marked sexual 

 difference in colouration during the bieeding-season and varies in tlie 

 intensity of this nuptial decoration of the males, it seemed the best 

 species to select, being also very easy to procure. Accordingly, having 

 piocured a tliree-compartment cage, and fitted it with two perches run- 

 ning through all three compartments, which were separated by wire 

 netting, so that the birds could easily see each other and sit side by 

 side, I made the following experiments with this species : — 



No. I. 



Placed in the cage on August ^Ith, three birds just bought, all from 

 the same small cage in the Bazaar : — a hen (a), the only one in the 

 lot from which these were taken ; a bright coloured scarlet- red cock (A) 

 well spotted with white, and a dull copper-red cock (B), deficient in 

 spots on the breast. A lost some of his tail in handling. 



August 28th. All birds well, but wild ; both cocks trying to get in 

 with hen ; hen inclined to try and get in with cock A. 



August 29th. A, which was not quite so active as B yesterday, 

 looks very sick ; hen nevertheless sometimes inclined to sit on his side 

 of her compartment. Both cocks tiying to get to her, and sitting much 

 closer to the side than she does. 



August {iOth. A looking as well as before to-day ; hen sitting 

 mostly at his side of the cage, and the dung there proves she has roosted 

 on that side against the wire. 



August Slst. A still looking w^ell, and hen markedly inclined to 

 sit mostly his side ; B not looking very well ; one of them singing. 



September 1st, A well, hen markedly inclined to sit by him ; B 

 looking very seedy. One bird still singing. (I think A in both cases). 

 Hen has still roosted on his side (A's). 



September 2nd. A well, hen definitely sitting by him : has evidently 

 roosted that side all the time ; B looking very seedy still. 



September ^rd. A well, B dead ; I think he has been sickly all 

 along, as he is very thin ; but as above noted, he w^as lively enough at 

 first. He has had diarrhoea of late. He ate small millet readily 

 enough, but I don't think took much of a larger seed T gave later, which 

 the other eat all right. (I gave them subsequently small millet). 



