The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Darwin, C. R. [1871?].03.22, Tragopan temminckii has blue wattle of intense colour. CUL-DAR85.B103. 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: 121. Darwin was in London from 23 February-23 March 1871. (Paul van Helvert & John van Wyhe, Darwin: A Companion, 2021)

[B103]

Mar 22. Zoolog. Gardens.

Tragopan temminckii has blue wattle of intense colour, & during breeding season but at no other time & only when courting female, injects this with blood (like wattle of turkey) & it forms 2 horns which project on each side of the splendid top knot, & forms a deep descending tappet in front. When I asked him whether it was polygamous he answered "I shd think so from its gorgeous colours", & this shews his belief in the connection.

B. [Bartlett] believes that the Lophophorus is polygamous, but 2 hens cannot be kept with a cock because they fight so much.

Polygamous

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