SEXUAL SELECTION 279 



ordinary selection, since unarmed, unomamented, or nnat- 

 tractive males would succeed equally well in the battle for 

 life and in leaving a numerous progeny but for the presence 

 of better-endowed males. We may infer that this would 

 be the case, because the females, which are unarmed and 

 unomamented, are able to survive and procreate their kind. 

 Secondary sexual characters of the kind just referred to will 

 be fully discussed in the following chapters, as being in 

 many respects interesting, but especially as depending 

 on the will, choice, and rivalry of the individuals of either 

 sex. When we behold two males fighting for the possession 

 of the female, or several male birds displaying their gorgeous 

 plumage, and performing strange antics before an assembled 

 body of females, we cannot doubt that, though led by in- 

 stinct, they know what they are about, and consciously 

 exert their mental and bodily powers. 



Just as man can improve the breed of his game-cocks 

 by the selection of those birds which are victorious in the 

 cock-pit, so it appears that the strongest and most vigorous 

 males, or those provided with the best weapons, have pre- 

 vailed under nature, and have led to the improvement of 

 the natural breed or species. A slight degree of variability 

 leading to some advantage, however slight, in reiterated 

 deadly contests would suffice for the work of sexual selec- 

 tion; and it is certain that secondary sexual characters are 

 eminently variable. Just as man can give beauty, accord- 

 ing to his standard of taste, to his male poultry, or more 

 strictly can modify the beauty originally acquired by the 

 parent species, can give to the Sebright bantam a new and 

 elegant plumage, an erect and peculiar carriage — so it ap- 

 pears that female birds in a state of nature have, by a long 

 selection of the more attractive males, added to their beauty 

 or other attractive qualities. No doubt this implies pow- 

 ers of discrimination and taste on the part of the female 

 which will at first appear extremely improbable; but, by the 

 facts to be adduced hereafter, I hope to be able to show that 

 the females actually have these powers. When, however. 



