The Descent of Man

differences, are polygamous, but Mr. Wallace
doubts whether he had sufficient evidence. Mr.
Salvin tells me he has been led to believe that
humming-birds are polygamous. The male widow-bird,
remarkable for his caudal plumes,
certainly seems to be a polygamist. (16. 'The
Ibis,' vol. iii. 1861, p. 133, on the Progne Widow-bird.
See also on the Vidua axillaris, ibid.
vol. ii. 1860, p. 211. On the polygamy of the
Capercailzie and Great Bustard, see L. Lloyd,
'Game Birds of Sweden,' 1867, pp. 19, and 182.
Montagu and Selby speak of the Black Grouse
as polygamous and of the Red Grouse as monogamous.)
I have been assured by Mr. Jenner
Weir and by others, that it is somewhat common
for three starlings to frequent the same
nest; but whether this is a case of polygamy or
polyandry has not been ascertained.
The Gallinaceae exhibit almost as strongly marked
sexual differences as birds of paradise or
humming-birds, and many of the species are, as