SEXUAL SELECTION- 533 



which has only the head blue, and completely scalped the 

 unfortunate bird. Mr. Weir was also obliged to turn out a 

 robin, as it fiercely attacked all the birds in his aviary with 

 any red in their plumage, but no other kinds; it actually 

 killed a red-breasted crossbill, and nearly killed a goldfinch. 

 On the other hand, he has observed that some birds, when 

 fijTst introduced, fly toward the species which resemble them 

 most in color, and settle by their sides. 



As male birds display their fine plumage and other orna- 

 ments with so much care before the females, it is obviously 

 probable that these appreciate the be&,uty of their suitors. 

 It is, however, difficult to obtain direct evidence of their 

 capacity to appreciate beauty. When birds gaze at them- 

 selves in a looking-glass (of which many instances have 

 been recorded) we cannot feel sure that it is not from jeal- 

 ousy of a supposed rival, though this is not the conclusion 

 of some observers. In other cases it is difficult to distin- 

 guish between mere curiosity and admiration. It is per- 

 haps the former feeling which, as stated by Lord Lilford," 

 attracts the ruff toward any bright object, so that, in the 

 Ionian Islands, "it will dart down to a bright-colored hand- 

 kerchief, regardless of repeated shots." The common lark 

 is drawn down from the sky, and is caught in large num- 

 bers, by a small mirror made to move and glitter in the sun. 

 Is it admiration or curiosity which leads the magpie, raven, 

 and some other birds to steal and secrete bright objects, such 

 as silver articles or jewels? 



Mr. Gould states that certain humming-birds decorate 

 the outsides of their nests "with the utmost taste; they 

 instinctively fasten thereon beautiful pieces of flat lichen, 

 the larger pieces in the middle, and the smaller on the part 

 attached to the branch. Now and then a pretty feather is 

 intertwined or fastened to the outer sides, the stem being 

 always so placed that the feather stands out beyond the 

 surface." The best evidence, however, of a taste tor the 



» The "Ibis," vol. ii., 1860, p. 344. 



