RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1873.11.14. "The golden Amherst pheasants during display." CUL-DAR88.147-148. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 9.2021. 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-DAR 87-90 contain material for Darwin's book Descent of man 2d ed. (1874-1877).


[147]

Sex - Select -1

Nov 14 - 1873 The golden Amherst pheasants during display, twist their beautiful frills so much to the side of the head that the whole beak up to the eye, is hidden. The tail & tail-coverts are also turned somewhat laterally towards the hen.

[148]

Sexual Selection

Nov 14 1873. The ocelli on the wing feathers of the M. Argus pheasant are almost completely hidden except during display. The display is not prolonged as in the Peacock, & the feathers are shaken. The tail & wing feathers are brought much forward, & the bird often tho' not invariably, places his head rather on one side, & pushes it thro' the long wing feathers so as to look at the female & then presents a most gro

[148v]

grotesque appearance. This must be a very frequent practice in a state of nature, for Bartlett on examining for this object some very perfect skins, found a place between 2 of the wing feather which was much frayed, as if the bird had frequently pushed his head between them. B states that every single feather is fully displayed.


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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 26 July, 2023