RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. Abstract of Bechstein, Naturgeschichte der Stubenvögel. CUL-DAR84.2.165. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 2.2022. RN1

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. The volumes CUL-DAR80-86 contain material for Darwin's book Descent of man (1871).

Darwin cited this in Descent 2: 54, n32: "Bechstein, 'Stubenvögel,' 1840, s. 4."

Bechstein, Johann Matthäus, 1840. Naturgeschichte der Stubenvögel. Halle.

[165]

Bechstein p 4

For there are only very few females who especially in widowhood can produce similar tones to the song of the male, as for example hens, robins, larks Canary birds &c & they also listen in fact for the more or less perfection of agreeableness of the song of the males in order to give their love only to those whom they hold for the most perfect singer. Thus the most lively she Canary always chooses the best singer & the she Finch in freedom also that one among 100 Finches whose note pleases her most.

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Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

File last updated 25 September, 2022