From J. J. Weir [before 3] March 1868
Summary
Aggressive behaviour of a bullfinch toward new arrival in JJW’s aviary.
Sexual differences in goldfinches: size of beaks.
Sexual selection in Lepidoptera.
Thinks Dr Alex Wallace’s observations on Bombyx not conclusive in proving that no preference is shown by females.
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [before 3] Mar 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 84.1: 51–2 and DAR 82: A107–8 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5964 |
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 |
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 |
From J. J. Weir 11 March 1868
Summary
Courtship of goldfinches. Male display. [See Descent 2: 95.]
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 11 Mar 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 84.1: 53–6 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6005 |
From J. J. Weir 16 March 1868
Summary
Sexual selection of pigeons, ducks;
polygamous birds.
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 16 Mar 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 84.1: 57–60 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6016 |
From J. J. Weir 23 March 1868
Summary
Relates a variety of facts about sexual selection in birds. [See Descent 2: 104–5.]
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 23 Mar 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 84.1: 61–4 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6041 |
From J. J. Weir 24 March 1868
Summary
Experiments to test Wallace’s theory that brightly coloured caterpillars are rejected by birds. [See Descent 1: 417.]
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 24 Mar 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 84.1: 65–8 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6046 |
From J. J. Weir [26] March 1868
Summary
Proportions of sexes in birds as reported by bird-catchers.
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [26] Mar 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 86: C5–9 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6056 |
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 |
