PREFERENCE BY THE FEMALE. 
123 
V Xlv . 
Ste 
is c °y the beautiful botli in colour and sound. It 
iiq]. ain that the females occasionally exhibit, from 
6 W, 0 'J n Cause "S the strongest antipathies and prefer- 
e s i 
c °lo Ul . 
' IOr particular males. When the sexes differ in 
Cep t j ° r m other ornaments, the males with rare ex- 
H etlt p ns av ° the most highly decorated, either perma- 
0l ' temporarily during the breeding-season. They 
<*y display their various ornaments, exert their 
fetuaj 5 ’ perform strange antics in the presence of the 
he, Gs 171 1 ' 1 
-j 6J) Even well-armed males, who, it might have 
lon ght, would have altogether depended for 
o tlla ;; s (>ri the law of battle, are in most cases highly 
t^ etl hed; and their ornaments have been acquired 
ex Pense of some loss of power. In other cases 
fflc f) '' nts have been acquired, at the cost of increased 
cio s 0111 birds and beasts of prey. With various spe- 
an y individuals of both sexes congregate at the 
P°b an d their courtship is a prolonged affair. 
ls e ven reason to suspect that the males and 
1 Within the same district do not always succeed 
'Pie, 
%h! Sl " g Gae h other and pairi 
tker ‘ are we to conclude from these facts and 
! 0 %o' ation8 ? Does the male parade his charms with 
' ls, ifu : ;,| l I" 1111 ? and rivalry for no purpose? Are we not 
H HrJ ^ 111 believing that the female exerts a choice, 
s bo receives the addresses of the male who 
Se io^ e ] ler most ? It is not probable that she con- 
liberates; but she is most excited or at- 
ant tbe most beautiful, or melodious, or gal- 
uur. 
H es a l es ; ^° r ng ed it be supposed that the female 
A ~ -j- - - -- j - x 
Q p 6ac Ce > admires each detail in the gorgeous train of 
^ ^ a<k s ti'ipe or spot of colour; that the peahen, 
Hi 
C ° ck ~ 
E e 
Ar ; 
-she is probably struck only by the general 
°Yertl)eless after hearing how carefully the 
§ as pheasant displays his elegant primary 
