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The Descent of Man

The Descent of Man

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is well known, polygamous; others being strictly<br />

monogamous. What a contrast is presented<br />

between the sexes <strong>of</strong> the polygamous peacock<br />

or pheasant, and the monogamous guinea-fowl<br />

or partridge! <strong>Man</strong>y similar cases could be given,<br />

as in the grouse tribe, in which the males<br />

<strong>of</strong> the polygamous capercailzie and black-cock<br />

differ greatly from the females; whilst the sexes<br />

<strong>of</strong> the monogamous red grouse and ptarmigan<br />

differ very little. In the Cursores, except<br />

amongst the bustards, few species <strong>of</strong>fer strongly-marked<br />

sexual differences, and the great<br />

bustard (Otis tarda) is said to be polygamous.<br />

With the Grallatores, extremely few species<br />

differ sexually, but the ruff (Machetes pugnax)<br />

affords a marked exception, and this species is<br />

believed by Montagu to be a polygamist. Hence<br />

it appears that amongst birds there <strong>of</strong>ten exists<br />

a close relation between polygamy and the development<br />

<strong>of</strong> strongly-marked sexual differences.<br />

I asked Mr. Bartlett, <strong>of</strong> the Zoological Gardens,<br />

who has had very large experience with

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