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[From J. J. Weir 16 April 1868]

[Darwin annotation: "Silver Pheasant"] is very quiet under similar circumstances [Darwin annotation: "of course"] and only makes the most of his brilliant red comb & wattles, these become larger in the breeding season & are partially erected.

[Darwin annotation: "(Birds)"] The Tragopans (Ceriornis) make the greatest use of their bright blue & red wattles blowing them out to an immense size when courting, this perhaps you observed at

[Darwin annotation: "p. 16? or 46"]

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the Zoological Gardens when there, it may be observed constantly at this time of the year.—

My own belief is that all vivid colors in birds are the result of sexual selection, even the red helmet & garters of the Moorhen.—

I find that all birds that I know of

141

[From J. J. Weir [before 18 June 1868]

also inclined to the belief that new feathers appear on the linnets breast in Spring, I cannot believe that the feathers themselves actually change color, & I could never detect them so brilliant in the winter it is however rather an obscure form, and some of the feathers continually

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lose the dull colored tips & then expose the brighter plumage underneath, this is certainly the case in both Fringilla coelebs, & montifringilla.—

The poor black hen Bullfinch has certainly lost the affections of her mate, who has left