SEXUAL SELECTION. 



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conscious sexual selection, that is, the actual choice by 

 the females of the more brilliantly- coloured males, I 

 believe very little if any effect is directly due. It is 

 undoubtedly proved that in birds the females do some- 

 times exert a choice ; but the evidence of this fact 

 collected by Mr. Darwin {Descent of Man, chap, xiv.) 

 does not prove that colour determines that choice, while 

 much of the strongest evidence is directly opposed to 

 this view. All the facts appear to be consistent with 

 the choice depending on a variety of liiale characteristics, 

 with some of which colour is often correlated. Thus it 

 is the opinion of some of the best observers that vigour 

 arid liveliness are most attractive, and these are no doubt 

 usually associated with intensity of colour. Again, the 

 display of the various ornamental appendages of the male 

 during courtship may be attractive; but these appen- 

 dages, with their bright colours or shaded patterns, are 

 due probably to general laws of growth, and to that 

 superabundant vitality which we have seen to be a 

 cause of colour. But there are many considerations 

 which seem to show that the possession of these orna- 

 mental appendages and bright colours in the male is not 

 an important character functionally, and that it has not 

 been produced by the action of conscious sexual selection. 

 Amid the copious mass of facts and opinions collected by 

 Mr. Darwin as to the display of colour and ornaments 

 by the male birds, there is a total absence of any evi- 

 dence that the females admire or even notice this display. 

 The hen, the turkey, and the pea-fowl go on feeding 

 while the male is displaying his finery ; and there is 

 reason to believe that it is his persistency and energy 

 rather than his beauty which wins the day. Again, 



