The Descent of Man

females: the natives believe that they are born
in this proportion; others believe that the younger
males are expelled from the herds, and Sir
A. Smith says, that though he has himself never
seen herds consisting of young males alone,
others affirm that this does occur. It appears
probable that the young when expelled from
the herd, would often fall a prey to the many
beasts of prey of the country.
BIRDS.
With respect to the FOWL, I have received only
one account, namely, that out of 1001 chickens
of a highly-bred stock of Cochins, reared during
eight years by Mr. Stretch, 487 proved males
and 514 females; i.e., as 94.7 to 100. In regard
to domestic pigeons there is good evidence
either that the males are produced in excess,
or that they live longer; for these birds invariably
pair, and single males, as Mr. Tegetmeier
informs me, can always be purchased cheaper