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The Descent of Man

The Descent of Man

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CLASS VI.<br />

THE YOUNG IN THEIR FIRST PLUMAGE<br />

DIFFER FROM EACH OTHER ACCORDING<br />

TO SEX; THE YOUNG MALES RESEMBLING<br />

MORE OR LESS CLOSELY THE ADULT MA-<br />

LES, AND THE YOUNG FEMALES MORE OR<br />

LESS CLOSELY THE ADULT FEMALES.<br />

<strong>The</strong> cases in the present class, though occurring<br />

in various groups, are not numerous; yet it<br />

seems the most natural thing that the young<br />

should at first somewhat resemble the adults <strong>of</strong><br />

the same sex, and gradually become more and<br />

more like them. <strong>The</strong> adult male blackcap (Sylvia<br />

atricapilla) has a black head, that <strong>of</strong> the female<br />

being reddish-brown; and I am informed<br />

by Mr. Blyth, that the young <strong>of</strong> both sexes can<br />

be distinguished by this character even as nestlings.<br />

In the family <strong>of</strong> thrushes an unusual<br />

number <strong>of</strong> similar cases have been noticed;<br />

thus, the male blackbird (Turdus merula) can<br />

be distinguished in the nest from the female.

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