NUPTIAL HABITS OF THE BLACKCOCK. 261 



various cases where, in every way possible, the female showed 

 this susceptibility, and did, in fact, yield to it. Darwin urged also 

 that, as the plumage of the males had become gradually hand- 

 somer, as evidenced in various ways, the more ornate birds must 

 have been, in general, preferred by the females, in order to pro- 

 duce this result ; that the hen was not, therefore, impressed 

 equally by all males alike, but exercised choice. As it appears 

 to me, I have shown that the hen Blackcock does, in very fact, 

 feel such preference, and exercise such choice, not by general 

 statements to that effect, wherein the conclusion arrived at, only, 

 is given, but not the specific facts which have led to its adoption 

 — the usual method — but by presenting the facts themselves, so 

 that the reader can test the validity of that conclusion, and form 

 his own upon the same data. Of course, if the hen birds choose 

 from amongst the males, and if the latter, as a consequence of 

 this, become handsomer, such choice must be determined by 

 their appearance ; but I could not, here, as with the Eeeves, 

 actually see the hens thus pick beauty out, since the cocks were 

 all of a feather, and, to my human eye, all looked equally hand- 

 some. 



My observations, then, as I hold, show that the female Black- 

 cock is affected by the courting display of the male — sometimes 

 so strongly that one may correctly describe her as fascinated — 

 that she does yield to it, and not to force or martial prowess, 

 and that she exercises choice in regard to the various males. 

 They show also that, whilst being courted, she is extremely 

 jealous of any other hen that may approach, and will pursue 

 and fight with such, fiercely. Yet, at the same time, she is 

 often extremely hard to win, and will resist the charm of the 

 cock's allurements, though exhibiting every sign of being 

 strongly impressed, and indeed fascinated by them. Why this 

 should be so I do not know, but the psychology revealed seems 

 more delicate and less simple, nearer to humanity, or more 

 human-seeming, than, even though accepting the doctrine of 

 sexual selection, one might have anticipated. The hens, also, 

 come to the place of meeting with the evident object of being 

 courted, and for that reason only. When the courtship has been 

 brought to a conclusion, either to their satisfaction or otherwise, 

 or should they tire of it, they fly away. 



