The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1868.02.25. Reeves game-keeper says he has just killed a magpie belonging to nest. CUL-DAR84.2.202. 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).

William Reeves (b. 1814/15) was a local gamekeeper, apparently employed by John Lubbock. See Descent 2: 103.

Edmund Saul Dixon (1809-93), was a clergyman and poultry-fancier and author of books on poultry.

[202]

Feb 25 /68/ Reeves gamekeeper says he has just killed a magpie belonging to nest with young, but in 2 days the one bird got a mate - Has never seen single magpie about never knew of a single unmatched partridge - is sure pheasant polygamous - will 2 male Partridges falsely pair?

We can understand magpie case only by supposing many birds do not like each other & do not pair or do not nest, & will pair with bird with nest. I think Dixon says guinea fowls pair - Ask Mr Wickstead-Fox - Land & Water.

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