To J. J. Weir 18 April [1868]
Summary
Discusses rapid replacement of mates among birds. "I begin to think that the pairing of birds must be as delicate and tedious an operation as the pairing of young gentlemen and ladies. If I can convince myself that there are habitually many unpaired birds it will be a great aid to me in sexual selection". Notes rivalry of singing birds.
Heard from George Rolleston of the inherited effects of an eye injury.
Disagrees with A. R. Wallace’s idea "that birds learn to make their nests from having seen them whilst young" ["The philosophy of birds’ nests", Intellect. Obs. 11 (1867): 413–20].
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
Date: | 18 Apr [1868] |
Classmark: | Duke University, Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library (RL.10387) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6128 |
Matches: 10 hits
- … by the relationship between this letter and the letter from J. J. Weir, 5 April 1868 . …
- … blood (DAR 85: B103). See letter from J. J. Weir, 5 April 1868 . CD refers to Edward …
- … February [1868] , the letter to J. J. Weir, 29 February [1868] , and Descent 2: 103. CD …
- … of sexual selection. See letter from J. J. Weir, [14 April 1868] . CD included the …
- … was evidently in a now missing part of the letter from J. J. Weir, 5 April 1868 , or …
- … 1868 and [before 5] March 1868 . See letter from J. J. Weir, 16 April 1868 and n. 9. …
- … letters from J. J. Weir, 5 April 1868 , [14 April 1868] , and 16 April 1868 . See letter from J. J. …
- … See letter from J. J. Weir, 5 April 1868 and n. 6. See letter from J. J. Weir, 5 …
- … letter from J. J. Weir, [14 April 1868] . For earlier discussion of bullfinch behaviour, see the letters from J. J. …
- … see letter to J. J. Weir, 4 April [1868] and n. 4. See letter from J. J. Weir, 16 …
To J. J. Weir 7 May [1868]
Summary
Thanks JJW for his great assistance.
Discusses sexual selection in birds.
Sends queries on secondary sexual characteristics of birds.
Has often marvelled at the different growth of the flowering and creeping branches of ivy.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
Date: | 7 May [1868] |
Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6165 |
Matches: 10 hits
- … by the relationship between this letter and the letter from J. J. Weir, [4–7] May 1868 . …
- … Weir, 20 April 1868 . See letter from J. J. Weir, [before 28 April] 1868 . The …
- … letters to CD since CD’s last letter to him: see letters from J. J. Weir, 20 April 1868 , [ …
- … in Descent 1: 417 (see letter from J. J. Weir, 24 March 1868 ). In Descent 1: 395, CD …
- … were damaged (see letter from J. J. Weir, [before 5] March 1868 ). According to CD’s ‘ …
- … on 17 May 1868. See letter from J. J. Weir, [4–7] May 1868 . See letter to J. J. …
- … is in his letter to CD of 20 April 1868. See letter from J. J. Weir, [4–7] May 1868 and …
- … letter to Robert Chambers, 30 April [1861] and n. 6. See letter from J. J. Weir, 28 April – 4 May 1868 . …
- … letters to J. J. Weir, 27 February [1868] and 29 February [1868] , and letter from J. J. …
- … letter to Abraham Dee Bartlett has not been found. See letter from J. J. Weir, [4–7] May 1868 . See letter from J. J. …
To J. J. Weir 30 May [1868]
Summary
Glad to have JJW’s opinion on nest-building. Wallace’s view [that skill is learned] is opposed to many facts.
Asks JJW about birds and their behaviour.
Wants information on the first plumage of different breeds of canaries.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
Date: | 30 May [1868] |
Classmark: | University of Chicago Library, Special Collections Research Center (Joseph Halle Schaffner collection box 1, folder 2) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6215 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … Weir apparently did not visit Down in June (see letter to J. J. Weir, 5 June 1868 ). …
- … 2: 138–238). See letter from J. J. Weir, [14 April 1868] . CD discussed the relation …
- … and n. 7). See also letter to J. J. Weir, 18 April [1868] , and letter from J. J. …
- … letter and the letter from Edward Blyth, 18 May 1868 . See letter from J. J. Weir, [ …
- … letter from J. J. Weir, 18 May 1868 , and letter from Edward Blyth, 18 May 1868 and nn. 4 and 5. Blyth actually wrote to CD about Pavo spiciferus. See also letter from J. J. …
From J. J. Weir 31 March 1868
Summary
Sexual behaviour of chaffinches.
Numbers of female linnets in September.
His experiments on brightly coloured larvae [as food], testing A. R. Wallace’s theory.
His observations of a rookery make him wonder whether it may not be more difficult than we think for birds to pair.
Author: | John Jenner Weir |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 31 Mar 1868 |
Classmark: | DAR 46.1: 98–101, DAR 84.1: 69–70 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6074 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … See letter to J. J. Weir, 27 March [1868] and n. 3. See letter from J. J. …
- … Russel Wallace . See letter to J. J. Weir, 27 March [1868] . Muscicapa griseola (now …
- … n. 4. See also letter to J. J. Weir, 27 March [1868] . See letter to J. J. Weir, 27 …
- … J Jenner Weir C Darwin Esq re . 1.1 As … Ping— 2.2] crossed pencil 3.2 the season I … larvæ. — 7.2] crossed pencil 8.1 You ask … year? — 11.4] crossed pencil 12.1 In a similar] ‘Mar 31 1868 | Struggle for existence with Rooks’ added pencil 12.1 one pair … from 15.2] crossed pencil 15.1 There were] after opening square bracket ; ‘Rooks’ added pencil 16.1 I have … built 16.2] scored pencil 18.1 May … birds? — 18.2] crossed pencil ; scored red crayon Top of letter : ‘ …
To J. J. Weir 27 March [1868]
Summary
Thanks for information [about sex ratios] received from bird-catchers.
"Can you form any theory about all the many cases which you have given me and others which have been published, of when one pair is killed, another soon appearing?"
Facts about gay-coloured caterpillars very satisfactory.
Comments on Pangenesis.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
Date: | 27 Mar [1868] |
Classmark: | Linnean Society of London (Quentin Keynes Collection) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6059 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … theory in his letter of 24 February 1868 . See letter from J. J. Weir, 23 March 1868 …
- … the relationship between this letter and the letter from J. J. Weir, [26] March 1868 . …
- … to Alfred Russel Wallace . See letter from J. J. Weir, 23 March 1868 and n. 6. Weir’s …
- … letters from J. J. Weir, 23 March 1868 , 24 March 1868 , and [26] March 1868 . See letter from J. J. …
- … the information on nightingales. See letter from J. J. Weir, 24 March 1868 and n. 1. …
From J. J. Weir 7 March 1868
Summary
Various facts about birds: pairing, finding new mates, protective coloration, polygamy, sexual differences.
Author: | John Jenner Weir |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 7 Mar 1868 |
Classmark: | DAR 86: A21–4 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5995 |
To J. J. Weir 22 March [1868]
Summary
Glad to hear about pigeons. Did not know some birds could win affections of females more than others, except among peacocks.
Comments on polygamy in birds.
Discusses sex ratios among birds.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
Date: | 22 Mar [1868] |
Classmark: | Private collection |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6038 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … was Harrison Weir. See letter from J. J. Weir, 16 March 1868 . Robert Heron discussed …
- … by the relationship between this letter and the letter from J. J. Weir, 16 March 1868 . …
- … See letter from J. J. Weir, 16 March 1868 . CD refers to the British Museum . J. J. …
- … 152. See letter to Edward Hewitt , [ c. 22 March 1868]. See letter from J. J. Weir, 16 …
From J. J. Weir 16 March 1868
Author: | John Jenner Weir |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 16 Mar 1868 |
Classmark: | DAR 84.1: 57–60 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6016 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … fowl or chicken. See letter from J. J. Weir, 24 March 1868 . See letter to J. J. Weir, …
- … See letter from J. J. Weir, 11 March 1868 . Weir’s brother was Harrison Weir. CD cited …
- … in Descent 2: 109. See letter to J. J. Weir, 13 March [1868] and n. 5. Weir refers to …
- … s observation. See letter to J. J. Weir, 29 February [1868] . The family Gallinaceae or …
From J. J. Weir [before 28 April] 1868
Summary
Proportion of sexes in chaffinches.
Pugnacity of blackbirds and robins.
Harrison Weir reports up to nine eggs in starling nests.
Newspaper report of a sheep born with its owner’s brand.
Author: | John Jenner Weir |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [before 28 Apr] 1868 |
Classmark: | DAR 86: C1–2, DAR 84.1: 73–4 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6078 |
From J. J. Weir [before 5] March 1868
Summary
Does not think females give preference to any males. Coloration, pugnacity; cases of use of colour in struggle for existence. [see Descent 1: 395.]
Author: | John Jenner Weir |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [before 5] Mar 1868 |
Classmark: | DAR 82: A109–12 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5985 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … for Colias edusa (see n. 5, above). See letter to J. J. Weir, [6 March 1868] and n. 7. …
- … IV). See letter to J. J. Weir, 29 February [1868] and letter from J. J. Weir, [before …
- … between this letter and the letter to J. J. Weir, [6 March 1868] . Weir’s name appears …
- … a dye ( OED ). See letter to J. J. Weir, 27 February [1868] . Henry Walter Bates and …
To J. J. Weir [6 March 1868]
Summary
Discusses beaks and relative numbers of the sexes of goldfinches.
Comments on sexual selection among butterflies.
Mentions Kerguelen moth collected by Hooker.
Comments on JJW’s observations on coloured birds.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
Date: | [6 Mar 1868] |
Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.348) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5986 |
To W. B. Tegetmeier 17 [March 1868]
Summary
For experiment on effect of male beauty, pigeons should be coloured on the breast.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | William Bernhard Tegetmeier |
Date: | 17 [Mar 1868] |
Classmark: | Archives of the New York Botanical Garden (Charles Finney Cox Collection) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6017 |
To J. J. Weir 5 June 1868
Summary
Sorry JJW cannot visit.
Will go to sea-side for five weeks at end of July.
Does Vidua have double annual moult? [See Descent 2: 181.]
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
Date: | 5 June 1868 |
Classmark: | DAR 148: 317; Duke University, Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library (RL.10387) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6232 |
From J. J. Weir 18 May 1868
Summary
Answers CD’s question on whether any female birds regularly sing.
Author: | John Jenner Weir |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 18 May 1868 |
Classmark: | DAR 84.1: 81–2, DAR 86: A37–8 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6181 |
To J. J. Weir 18 June [1868]
Summary
CD thanks JJW for letter about the crimson breast of linnets
and the fate of a pugnacious female bullfinch.
Refers to JJW’s pointing out the number of Jenners and Weirs who have been naturalists, and cites some writings by men of those families about striking cases of birds.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
Date: | 18 June [1868] |
Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6250 |
From J. J. Weir [after 27 February] 1868
Summary
Trusts his paper ["Apterous Lepidoptera" (1867), printed for the West Kent Natural History, Microscopical, and Photographic Society] showed that he is thoroughly a disciple of CD.
Cites evidence that birds undoubtedly distinguish colours. [see Descent 2: 110.]
Author: | John Jenner Weir |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [after 27 Feb] 1868 |
Classmark: | DAR 84.1: 77–80 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5939 |
From J. J. Weir [14 April 1868]
Author: | John Jenner Weir |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [14 Apr 1868] |
Classmark: | DAR 84.1: 88–9 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6152 |
To J. J. Weir 4 April [1868]
Summary
CD thanks JJW for the mine of information his last "ten!" letters contain. Comments on sexual display of pheasants and colour preferences of pigeons.
Asks about hens that pair earliest in spring and about possible existence of unpaired birds.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
Date: | 4 Apr [1868] |
Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6090 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … results (see letter to J. J. Weir, 27 March [1868] , and letter from J. J. Weir, 31 …
- … the Fringillidae, see the letter from J. J. Weir, 11 March 1868 . The order Gallinaceae …
- … letter from A. R. Wallace, 24 February [1867] and n. 4). After receiving Weir’s preliminary results ( letter from J. J. Weir, 24 March 1868 ), …
- … letter from H. W. Weir, 28 March 1868 . Dun Hen Carrier: a female dun-coloured pigeon. The information on the pigeon is cited in Descent 2: 118. Roland Trimen visited CD in London on 25 March 1868 (see letter to Roland Trimen, [21 March 1868] ). See letter from Edward Hewitt, 28 March 1868 . In Descent 2: 117, CD cited Hewitt on the indifference of female birds to the beauty of male plumage. See letters from J. …
To J. J. Weir 17 October 1868
Summary
Enjoyed JJW’s visit.
Interested in changes in plumage of pheasants.
Still at work on sexual selection in birds.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
Date: | 17 Oct 1868 |
Classmark: | DAR 148: 320 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6422 |
From J. J. Weir 20 April 1868
Summary
Instinct in birds; nest-building.
Inheritance of acquired characters.
Author: | John Jenner Weir |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 20 Apr 1868 |
Classmark: | DAR 181: 76 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6130 |
Darwin, C. R. | (21) |
Weir, J. J. | (20) |
Wallace, A. R. | (4) |
Blyth, Edward | (2) |
Weir, H. W. | (2) |
Darwin, C. R. | (32) |
Weir, J. J. | (14) |
Wallace, A. R. | (2) |
Bartlett, A. D. | (1) |
Hewitt, Edward | (1) |
Darwin, C. R. | (53) |
Weir, J. J. | (34) |
Wallace, A. R. | (6) |
Blyth, Edward | (2) |
Weir, H. W. | (2) |