Display of Undecorated Cocks 
Finn observed that a young hen Bird of 
Paradise (Paradzsea 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 poeczlorhyncha), 
Gadwall, and Black Duck (Azas supercttosa), 
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 
315 
