290 
THE PEINCIPLES OP 
Part li- 
the horns are developed later in life in this breed than 
in ordinary sheep in which both sexes are horned. But 
with domesticated sheep the presence or absence of 
horns is not a firmly fixed character ; a certain proportion 
of the merino ewes bearing small horns, and some of the 
rams beiug hornless ; whilst with ordinary sheep hornless 
ewes are occasionally produced. 
In most of the species of the splendid family of the 
Pheasants, the males differ conspicuously from the 
females, and they acquire their ornaments at a rather 
late period of life. The eared pheasant (Crossopi&M* 
auritum), however, offers a remarkable exception, for 
both sexes possess the fine caudal plumes, the large e» r ' 
tufts and the crimson velvet about the head ; and I find 
on enquiry in the Zoological Gardens that all these 
characters, in accordance with our rule, appear very' 
early in life. The adult male can, however, be distin- 
guished from the adult female by one character, namely 
by the presence of spurs ; and conformably with our 
rule, these do not begin to be developed, as I am assured 
by Mr. Bartlett, before the age of six mouths, and eveu 
at this age, can hardly be distinguished in the two 
sexes . 28 The male and female Peacock differ con- 
period of life, conformably with our. rule, than in the Welch sheep , lP 
which botli sexes are horned. 
28 In the common peacock ( Pavo cristatus ) the male alone 
spurs, whilst botli sexes of the Java peacock (P. mutiem) 
unusual case of being furnished with spurs. Henco I fully 
that in the latter species they would havo been developed earl 
than in the common peacock ; but M. llcgt of Amsterdam informs 
that with young birds of the previous year, belonging to both spfi cje ~' 
compared on April 23rd, 1869, there was no difference in the doveW’ 
mont of the spurs. The spurs, however, were as yet represented merf I 
by slight knobs or elevations. I presume that I should have been u* 
formed if any difference in the rate of development had subsequen • 
been obseryed. 
posse 
offer 
expect c* 
icr in 11 C 
