The Descent of Man

prefers the younger to the older hens. On the
other hand, in effecting hybrid unions between
the male pheasant and common hens, Mr.
Hewitt is convinced that the pheasant invariably
prefers the older birds. He does not appear
to be in the least influenced by their colour; but
"is most capricious in his attachments" (31. Mr.
Hewitt, quoted in Tegetmeier's 'Poultry Book,'
1866, p. 165.): from some inexplicable cause he
shews the most determined aversion to certain
hens, which no care on the part of the breeder
can overcome. Mr. Hewitt informs me that some
hens are quite unattractive even to the males
of their own species, so that they may be
kept with several cocks during a whole season,
and not one egg out of forty or fifty will prove
fertile. On the other hand, with the long-tailed
duck (Harelda glacialis), "it has been remarked,"
says M. Ekstrom, "that certain females are
much more courted than the rest. Frequently,
indeed, one sees an individual surrounded by
six or eight amorous males." Whether this sta-