[65]

As far then as the principle of gradation throws any light on the steps by which the splendid feathers in the peacock tail were developed, hardly anything more can be desired. If we wished to picture to ourself a gallinaceous bird in an almost exactly intermediate condition between one with short tail coverts, marked with single circular spots of colour, as in the G. Fowl or to another like the females with enormously elongated tail-covert ornamented with gorgeous single ocelli, the species of Pol. whether these offer a gradation in same sense offered us this picture, I look back to past times & cd [illeg] clearly see are among [illeg] of the [illeg] with [8 words illeg], Each ornamented with 2 ocelli, partially confluent.

[in margin:] How far sexual I do not know

[65v]

Dec 6 - 67.  B. Museum "Peacock." These remarks are addressed only to those who admitting S. Select - Naturally feel great difficulty in such cases as Peacock - need say nothing on gorgeous general plumage or crest – for [numerous] gradation & such cases. Several gall. birds have ocellated feathers, as Guinea-fowl - or the Satyra cornuta or Argus pheasant, in which the white dot is surrounded by darker zone. But Polyplectron the one if as I think, shorter feathers are tail-feathers. The Crossoptilan Manchuriensis (all allied bird) has fimbriated tail-covert feathers ie feathers with barbs separated & a disc at end of feathers in common. In my Domesc animals, I have got some cases in Game-fowls of portion of sort of disc. & in Turkey