The Descent of Man

Turning now to domesticated and confined
birds, I will commence by giving what little I
have learnt respecting the courtship of fowls. I
have received long letters on this subject from
Messrs. Hewitt and Tegetmeier, and almost an
essay from the late Mr. Brent. It will be admitted
by every one that these gentlemen, so well
known from their published works, are careful
and experienced observers. They do not believe
that the females prefer certain males on account
of the beauty of their plumage; but some allowance
must be made for the artificial state under
which these birds have long been kept. Mr.
Tegetmeier is convinced that a gamecock,
though disfigured by being dubbed and with
his hackles trimmed, would be accepted as readily
as a male retaining all his natural ornaments.
Mr. Brent, however, admits that the
beauty of the male probably aids in exciting the
female; and her acquiescence is necessary. Mr.
Hewitt is convinced that the union is by no
means left to mere chance, for the female al-