RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1861.04.19. Mr Gould remarked to me that all birds of which the males have beautiful plumage delight in displaying it. CUL-DAR84.2.190. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 3.2022. 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: 86, n80: "See also 'Ornamental Poultry,' by Rev. E. S. Dixon, 1848, p. 8."

[190]

Ap. 19 - 61 Mr Gould remarked to me that all birds of which the males have beautiful plumage delight in displaying it. - Whenever beauty of plumage varies with season, or it undergoes brightest just before breeding season. Dixon on the case where Peacock takes of its plumage (& Birds of Paradise) But as a general rule, Gould says that beautiful song & plumage do not go together. Battle & beauty does. We must suppose beauty created to charm female -  describe Peacock Tail. In Heliothrix, in which females have longer tail the male nevertheless is very gorgeous.

Ch VI

/over

[190v]

Except man Birds the most æsthetical of animals. (Bower Birds) but to some species seldom appreciate music & colouring - their tastes are limited. Like Ladies in old Tournaments of old [illeg] highly appreciate courting & rewards with their highest favour victory

Ch 6

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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