My dear Wallace

I have been deeply interested by your admirable article on Birds’ nests.—² I am delighted to see that we really differ very little,—not more than two men almost always will—

You do not lay much or any stress on new characters spontaneously appearing in one sex (generally the male) & being transmitted exclusively, or more commonly only in excess, to that sex.— I on the other hand formerly paid far too little attention to protection. I had only a glimpse of the truth. But even now I do not go quite as far as you.— I cannot avoid thinking rather more than you do about the exceptions in nesting to the rule, especially the partial exceptions, i.e when there is some little difference between the sexes in species which build concealed nests.³

I am not quite satisfied about the incubating males: there is so little difference in conspicuousness between the sexes.—⁴ I wish with all my heart I could could go the whole length with you.— You seem to think that male birds probably select the most beautiful females; I must feel some doubt on this head, for I can find no evidence of it.⁵ Though I am writing so carping a note, I admire the article thoroughily.—

And now I want to ask a question.— When female Butterflies are more brilliant than their males you believe that they have in most cases or in all cases been rendered brilliant so as to mimic some other species & thus escape danger.⁶ But can you account for the males not having been rendered equally brilliant & equally protected. Although it may be most for the welfare of the species that the female should be protected, yet it would be some advantage, certainly no disadvantage, for the unfortunate male to enjoy an equal immunity from danger. For my part, I should say that the female alone had happened to vary in the right manner, & that the beneficial variations had been transmitted to the same sex alone.— Believing in this, I can see no improbability (but from analogy of domestic animals a strong probability) that variations leading to beauty must often have occurred in the males alone, & been transmitted to that sex alone. Thus I sh^d account in many cases for the greater beauty of the male over the female, without the need of the protective principle.— I sh^d. be grateful for an answer on this point.

I hope that your Eastern Book progresses well—⁷

My dear Wallace | Yours sincerely | C. Darwin