RECORD: Darwin, C. R. [1838]. Notebook C: 253e-254e (excised pages). CUL-DAR11.1.14c. Edited by John van Wyhe (The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Text prepared and edited by John van Wyhe 7.2025. RN2
NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin.
Notebook C: Transmutation. Text & image CUL-DAR122.-
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253
Acclimatisation.—
Bachman tells me in Audubon there is most curious history of first appearance of the S. American Pipra Flycatcher, which is now becoming common— likewise of the Hirundo fulva (added by Audubon in Appendix)1 showing what changes are taking place & how birds are extending their ranges even migratory birds, like swallows.
Of migrations of birds he mentioned many most curious case.— the birds seem to follow narrow bands, certain kinds as gallinules taking the low country near coast & others the mountains, & this
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1 Audubon, John James. 1831-1839. Ornithological biography: Birds of the United States of America. 5 vols. Edinburgh: Adam Black. vol. 2 PDF JvW
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254
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appearing to remain about a fortnight, See Silliman's Journal 1837.1 Paper by Bachman that is succession of birds.— in some species a Tanagra males come first & the females in flocks. as in English Nightingales — other birds (& this seems common kind migration of America) migrate singly flying few miles every daya generally by night — other birds which is strictly diurnal, migrates singly by night.— others in flock, these birds seem clearly directed by kind of country; kinds of migration quite different in species of same genus. The Muscicapa solitaria stay about a fortnight in one particular part of country, like White of Selbournes2 Rock Ouzels.— If the line or bands of country (These facts show the normal condition of migration)
1 Bachman, John. 1836. On the migration of the birds of North America. Read before the Literary and Philosophical Society of Charleston, (S.C.) March 15th, 1833. American Journal of Science and Arts 30: 81-100. Abstract in CUL-DAR46.1.20. JvW
2 White, Gilbert. 1825. The natural history and antiquities of Selborne. 2 vols. London: C. & J. Rivington. [signed] CUL-DAR.LIB.679 vol. 1 PDF vol. 2 PDF JvW
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 1 July, 2025