RECORD: Darwin, C. R. [1871-1874]. Abstract of Salvin, On the tail-feathers of Momotus / Draft of Expression, chapter 9, p. 234. CUL-DAR89.154. Edited by John van Wyhe (The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 11.2021. RN2

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-DAR87-90 contain material for Darwin's book Descent of man 2d ed. (1874-1877).


[154]

(on Table)

Proc Zoolog. Soc. 1873 P. 2. p. 429 Tail-feathers of Mot-mot (not sexual in Birds) for Man.

3 cm

Salvin, Osbert. 1873. On the tail-feathers of Momotus. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 41 no. 2: 429-433. [CUL-DAR.LIB.PER-U1402] PDF Darwin cited this in Descent 2d ed., p. 60. n94: "I shall hereafter have occasion to refer to Mr. Salvin's interesting case of the apparently inherited effects of mot-mots biting off the barbs of their own tail-feathers. See also on the general subject 'Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication,' vol. ii., pp. 22-24."

[154v]

[Draft of Expression, chapter 9, p. 234.]

species, their near relatives) Thus the kittens of black cats are generally marked with stripes, which afterwards disappear: lions and pumas whilst young are


Return to homepage

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

File last updated 23 August, 2025