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Show 110 SEXUAL SELECTION : Dilm~. PAIn' JJ. are instantly recognised, and always attacked, by their Southern brethren. Birds nnder confinement distinguish different persons, as is proved by the strong and permanent antipathy or affection which they shew, without any apparent cause, towarus certain individuals. I have heard of numerous instances with jayR, partridges, canaries, and especially bullfinches. Mr. Hussey has described in how extraordinary a manner a tamed partridge recognised everybody; and its likes and dislikes were very strong. rl'his bird seemed " fond "of gay colours, and no new gown or cap could be put "on without catching his attention." l:l Mr. Hewitt ltas carefully described the habits of some ducks (recently descended from wild birds), which, at tho approach of a strauge clog or cat, would rush headlong into the water, and exhaust themselves in their attempts to escape; but they knew so well Mr. Hewitt's own dogs and cats that they would lie clown and bask in tho sun close to them. They always moved away from a strange man, and so they would from the lady who attended them, if she made a:ny great change in her dress. Audubon relates that he reared and tamed a wild turkey which always ran away from any strange dog; this bird escaped into the woods, and some days afterwards Audubon saw, as he thought, a wild turkey, and made his dog chase it ; but to his astonishment, the bird did not run away, and the dog, when he came up, did not attack the bird, for they mutually recognised each other as old friends. 13 Mr. Jenner \¥ eir is convinced that birds pay particular attention to the colours of other birds, sometimes I2 • The Zoologist,' 1847-1848, p. 1602. 13 Howitt on wild <lucks, 'Journal of Horticulture,' Jan. 13, 18G3, p. :JD. Audubon on tho wild turkey, 'Ornith. Biography,' vol. i. p. 14. Oi1 tlto mocking thrush, ibid. vol. i. p. 1LO. •CHAP. XLV. TASTE FOR TilE BEAUTIFUL. 111 out of jeal.ousy, and sometimes as a sign of kinship. Thus he turned a rcecl-buuting (Emberiza schreniculus), which had acquired its black head, into his aviary, and the new-comer was not noticed by any bird, except by a bullfincl1, which is likewise black-headed. This bullfinch was a very quiet bird, and had never before ·quarrelled with any of its comrades, including another reed-bunting, which had not as yet become blackheaded: but the reed-bunting with a black head was so unmercifully treated, that it had to be removed. Mr. Weir was also obliged to turn out a robin, as it :fiercely attacked all birds with any reel in their plumage, but no other kinds; it actually killed a redbreasted crossbill, and nearly killed a golcl:finch. On the other hand, he has observed that some birds, when :first introduced into his aviary, fly towards the species which resemble them most in colour, and settle by their sides. As male birds display with so much caro their fmc plumage and other ornaments in the presence of the females, it is obviously probable that these appreciate the beauty of their suitors. It is, however, difficult to ·obtain direct evidence of their capacity to appreciate beauty. When birds gaze at themselves in a lookingglass (of which many instances have been recorded) we rannot feel sure that it is not from jealousy at a supposed rival, though this is not the conclusion of some ·observers. In other cases it is difficult to distinguish between mere curiosity and admiration. It is perhaps the former feeling which, as stated by L01·d J.1ilford, 14 .attracts the Ruff strongly towards any bright object, .so that, in the Ionian Islands, it "will dart down to a ·"bright-coloured handkerchief, 1·egardless of repeated 14 Tho 'Ibis,' vol. ii. 18GO, p. 314. |