From J. J. Weir 16 April 1868
Summary
Describes a curious litter of rabbits.
Pairing of rooks, courtship of golden pheasant.
Behaviour of finch hybrids.
Seasonal coloration of birds; bright plumage results from sexual selection.
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 16 Apr 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 84.1: 71–2, 140, DAR 181: 75 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6125 |
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 |
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 |
From J. J. Weir 28 April – 4 May 1868
Summary
Observations on root-climbers. Variegated and arborescent varieties of Hedera.
[CD’s notes are for his reply, 6165.]
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 28 Apr – 4 May 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 181: 77 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6145 |
From J. J. Weir [4–7] May 1868
Summary
Proportion of sexes in ruffs [see Descent 1: 306].
Colour display in linnets, songbirds. Courtship display of Australian pigeon at zoo.
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [4–7] May 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 84.1: 75–6, DAR 86: C3–4 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6151 |
From J. J. Weir [14 April 1868]
Summary
Starlings find new mates readily. Nesting in threes common.
Recognition of song by birds.
| 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 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 |
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 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 |
From J. J. Weir 3 June 1868
Summary
Plumage of canaries; changes in plumage with successive moults.
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 3 June 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 181: 78 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6226 |
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 [before 18 June 1868]
Summary
Coloration of linnets.
Sexual behaviour of black hen bullfinch.
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [before 18 June 1868] |
| Classmark: | DAR 84.1: 141–2 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6249 |
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 |
To J. J. Weir 1 September 1868
Summary
Invites JJW to visit Down. Will try to get A. R. Wallace and H. W. Bates also.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
| Date: | 1 Sept 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 148: 319 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6343 |
From J. J. Weir [before 17] October 1868
Summary
Both sexes of Crossoptilon auritum (eared pheasant) obtained the red cheeks the first year.
Coloration of the linnet.
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [before 17] Oct 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 86: A36, 53; DAR 84.1: 139 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6421 |
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 |
To J. J. Weir [before 18 May 1868]
Summary
CD cannot remember whether correspondent believed the wing that Gallus bankiva opens and scrapes before the female, is ornamented. He fears it is not.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
| Date: | [before 18 May 1868] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6537 |
| Weir, J. J. | (22) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (15) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (22) |
| Weir, J. J. | (15) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (37) |
| Weir, J. J. |
