The Descent of Man

so simple and short an affair as might be
thought. The females are most excited by, or
prefer pairing with, the more ornamented males,
or those which are the best songsters, or
play the best antics; but it is obviously probable
that they would at the same time prefer the
more vigorous and lively males, and this has in
some cases been confirmed by actual observation.
(9. With respect to poultry, I have received
information, hereafter to be given, to this effect.
Even birds, such as pigeons, which pair for life,
the female, as I hear from Mr. Jenner Weir, will
desert her mate if he is injured or grows weak.)
Thus the more vigorous females, which are the
first to breed, will have the choice of many males;
and though they may not always select the
strongest or best armed, they will select those
which are vigorous and well armed, and in
other respects the most attractive. Both sexes,
therefore, of such early pairs would as above
explained, have an advantage over others in
rearing offspring; and this apparently has suffi-